Tunnel collapse: Prez, PM laud rescue officials; Congress demands compensation for labourers
New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday expressed happiness over the rescue of the workers trapped in a tunnel in Uttarakhand, saying the nation salutes their resilience and remains grateful to them for building critical infrastructure even at great personal risk.
Their travails over 17 days, as the rescue effort met with obstacles, have been a testament to human endurance, Murmu said.
"I congratulate the teams and all experts who have acted with incredible grit and determination to perform one of the most difficult rescue missions in history," Murmu said in a post on X.
Rescuers pulled out all 41 workers trapped in Uttarakhand Silkyara tunnel in a multi-agency rescue operation that hovered between hope and despair for almost 17 days.
"I feel relieved and happy to learn that all the workers trapped in a tunnel in Uttarakhand have been rescued. Their travails over 17 days, as the rescue effort met with obstacles, have been a testament of human endurance. The nation salutes their resilience and remains grateful to them for building critical infrastructure, even at great personal risk, far away from their homes," President Murmu said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the bravery and determination of rescuers involved in the tunnel operation, saying that they have given new life to the labourers, who were trapped in the tunnel for the last 16 days, adding that the mission has set an "example of humanity and teamwork".
PM Modi took to X and said "The success of the rescue operation of our labourer brothers in Uttarkashi is making everyone emotional. I want to say to the friends who were trapped in the tunnel that your courage and patience is inspiring everyone. I wish you all well and good health."
"It is a matter of great satisfaction that after a long wait, these friends of ours will now meet their loved ones. The patience and courage that all these families have shown in this challenging time cannot be appreciated enough, PM Modi added.
PM Modi further said that everyone involved in this mission has set an example of humanity and teamwork.
"I also salute the spirit of all the people associated with this rescue operation. Their bravery and determination have given new life to our labour brothers. Everyone involved in this mission has set an amazing example of humanity and teamwork," PM Modi said on X.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah described the rescue as “great news for the nation” and said the country salutes their grit in facing such a challenging situation for so long.
Shah also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all those who made tireless efforts to save the labourers.
“It is great news for the nation that all our 41 Shramik brothers trapped in a tunnel in Uttarkashi have been rescued safe and sound. Nation salutes their grit in facing such a challenging situation in the tunnel for so long," Shah said on X.
Meanwhile, Congress lauded the dedication, skill, and perseverance of the rescue team that brought out all the 41 workers trapped in the tunnel.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge urged the government to provide prompt health benefits and appropriate compensation to the construction workers who were trapped in the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi district for almost 17 days and demanded that a safety audit be conducted of all under-construction schemes so that a similar situation does not arise again.
Kharge said it was a matter of great relief and joy for everyone that the workers were brought out of the tunnel safely.
"Due to the prayers of 140 crore Indians, the operation of all the agencies, including the NDMA, was finally successful. Congratulations to all of you.
"The government is requested to provide prompt health benefits and an appropriate compensation to the labourer brothers. A safety audit of all the under-construction schemes should be conducted so that such a situation does not arise again," he said in a post in Hindi on X, using hashtag #UttarakhandTunnelRescue.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh lauded the resilience and fortitude of the labourers.
"After a harrowing 17 days the 41 workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand are being evacuated. The entire country salutes the remarkable resilience and fortitude of the workers themselves," Ramesh said in a post on X.
"The nation also applauds the dedication, skill, and perseverance of the entire rescue team and thanks them wholeheartedly," he added.
With PTI, ANI inputs