Uttarkashi tunnel collapse: Workers’ resilience shines as trapped miner inspires hope

| Updated: 25 November, 2023 9:48 pm IST

Visual from the collapsed tunnel at Uttarkashi (TNI Photo by Sumit Kumar)

UTTARKASHI: As the clock ticked past 14 days since the devastating collapse of the Silkyara Bend Barkot tunnel, trapping 41 workers, one man, Gabbar Singh Negi, emerged as a beacon of strength for his fellow workers.

Hailing from Uttarakhand, Negi, who has found himself trapped for the second time, is playing a crucial role in maintaining the morale of those awaiting rescue.

Negi’s experience with tunnel entrapment isn’t new; he had previously faced a similar ordeal in the Jammu tunnel, where he spent an agonising 26 days awaiting rescue.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, during his regular visits to the tunnel collapse site, personally engaged with Negi, offering support and encouragement. Arvind Bhatt, Negi’s colleague, shared insights with The New Indian, highlighting that this is Negi’s second time being trapped in a tunnel. “We are confident that Negi, along with the 40 others, will emerge safely from the tunnel,” Bhatt affirmed.

Rajesh Bhardwaj, a local social worker at the tunnel site, recounted the recent felicitation of Gabbar Singh Negi at Ramlila Manch.

WATCH: #UttarakhandTunnelRescue | Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, P.K. Mishra, engages in a conversation with the trapped workers inside the Silkyara Tunnel, asks them about their well being offers assistance to them.

Reports: @iAtulkrishan1 #SilkyaraTunnelCollapse pic.twitter.com/U63JwGTR0R

— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) November 27, 2023

“Negi draws strength from his belief in Shree Ram. Just as our Lord returned to Ayodhya, we hold strong hope that Negi will also come back with his fellow workers,” expressed Bhardwaj.

The local community continues to rally behind the trapped workers, fostering hope for their safe rescue.

Meanwhile, on the 14th day since the tunnel collapse, relentless endeavours by the local administration persist in the ongoing mission to safely rescue the 41 workers trapped inside.

The Prime Minister’s Office maintains vigilant oversight of the situation, while Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami undertakes daily visits to the site, engaging with both the workers and officials involved in the rescue efforts.