DEHRADUN: Fittingly, the first worker to be pulled out of the Silkyara tunnel in an operation that faced daunting odds was named Vijay.
He was wheeled out on a stretcher by NDRF personnel at 7.28pm Its a big relief.
I am very happy, said Vijay Horo from Gumad village in Khunti district of Jharkhand, stepping out in the open after 17 days and smiling for the waiting cameras.Also See: Uttarakhand Tunnel RescueSharing his ordeal with TOI, Satya Dev, one of the trapped men from UPs Shravasti district who was on his way to a community health centre for a checkup with his brother, said, Spending days and nights in claustrophobic conditions was very challenging.I have never experienced anything like this...
there was fear and anxiety but being in constant touch with the outside world kept me going.We used to do yoga, morning walk inside tunnel, rescued worker tells PM ModiLater, PM Modi spoke to the rescued men over phone and enquired about their well-being, officials said.Desperate family members and colleagues, who have been camping near the site despite the notable drop in the temperature, burst into tears of joy after seeing their loved ones emerge from the tunnel's entrance.
"Earlier, I was very sceptical about the outcome of the rescue mission, and was concerned about my son's well-being," said Chaudhary Lal, whose 22-year-old son Manjeet was among the trapped workers.
"My elder son was electrocuted while working at a high-rise building in Mumbai over a year ago and I couldn't bear the thought of losing my only other child in similar circumstances.
But I am glad it's all over now and I can finally reunite with him.
I am thankful to the almighty for giving my son back," Lal saidUttarkashi Tunnel Ops: All 41 workers trapped inside Silkyara tunnel successfully rescuedRajni Tudu, 30, from Bihar, whose husband Virender Kisku, 40, was one of the trapped workers, told TOI, "Once we go back home, I will cook his favourite meal.
My children are desperately waiting for their father's return."Anshul Rawat, one of the residents of Silkyara, said, "People's hope was slowly withering.
Today, after the announcement about the success of the rescue operation, there was a wave of celebrations.
We saw people buying clothes and sweets for the stranded men."Union home minister Amit Shah said, "The way PM Shri Narendra Modi ji personally monitored the entire operation along with providing all possible resources to safely rescue our labour brothers trapped in the tunnel reflects his sensitivity.
I congratulate the leadership of Uttarakhand CM Shri Pushkardhami ji and the efforts of his team.
All the people and agencies involved in this operation definitely deserve congratulations."Families of Silkyara tunnel workers celebrate safe rescue with firecrackers, sweetsWatchAll 41 trapped workers safely rescued from Uttarakhand's Silkyara tunnel after 17 days, celebrations and relief ensue