New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed happiness and relief after 41 workers trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi were safely rescued after 17 days.
The rescue teams completed the operation around 8.30 pm on Tuesday.
Taking to X, President Murmu stated: "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."
"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, she added.
PM Modi expressed his happiness over the rescue of all the 41 workers trapped inside the Uttarkashi tunnel.
Taking to social media platform X, PM Modi said "The success of the rescue operation of our labor 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."
Praising rescue workers, the PM said, "I also salute the spirit of all the people associated with this rescue operation. Your bravery and determination have given new life to our labor brothers. Everyone involved in this mission has set an amazing example of humanity and teamwork."