2 months after Silkyara ordeal, workers return for their second innings

UTTARKASHI: Two months after 41 workers of Silkyara-Barkot tunnel project were rescued following a 17-day ordeal of being trapped inside, life is slowly returning to normal at the tunnel site, with rescued workers starting to trickle in. As reported by TOI, the road transport and highways ministry had granted permission to resume work at the site last week.

Manik Talukdar, a worker from Bengal who was among the 41 trapped inside, told TOI: "I am on my way back to Silkyara and will reach there by January 31." Reflecting on the incident, he remarked, "It was a fateful thing, but that doesn't mean we should stop working out of fear. We are aware of the risks involved in our job, and both our company and the government supported us during those difficult times. Now, it is our turn to return the favour and complete the project."

Deepak Shrivastav, a worker from Bihar, who recently returned to Silkyara, expressed his delight at the project's restart. He said, "Initially, I hesitated to return due to family concerns. However, upon reaching here, all worries disappeared, and I am happy to be back."

Shrivastav emphasised that safety measures in the tunnel have been improved. "Agencies are more conscious about the safety arrangements. I told this to my co-workers back home, and they said they will also come back in the next few days."

Sources said that National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited, the project's executing agency, is focusing on creating escape passages and enhancing safety measures at both ends of the tunnel to ensure worker security.