Silkyara tunnel rescue | 5 workers from Bihar return home, 15 from Jharkhand to reach Ranchi today

Five workers trapped in Silkyara-Barkot tunnel for 17 days return to Bihar. Accompanied by family members, they were welcomed with marigold garlands and shawls by officials and Minister of Labour Resources Dept. Workers thanked NEC, rat miners, SDRF and NDRF for rescue.

Patna airport was in a celebration mood when five construction workers trapped in the Silkyara-Barkot tunnel for 17 days in Uttarkashi returned to Bihar from Indigo 6E (2013). Nine family members were accompanying them from Delhi and some reached the airport to receive them with tears in their eyes.

Officials and Minister of Bihar Labour resources department also reached Patna airport to welcome them.

Sushil Kumar of Rohtas (30), Virendra Kishku (28) of Banka, Deepak Kumar (22) of Muzaffarpur, Saba Ahmad (33) of Bhojpur and Sonu Kumar Sah(29) of Saran district returned to Patna. From the airport itself, they went to their respective native places with the police escort provided by the Bihar government.

Workers were welcomed with marigold garlands and shawls by the Labour Resources Department Minister Surendra Ram and Principal Secretary B. Rajendra.

“I am really happy to return to my State after spending 17 days in the tunnel. Initially, we faced difficulties inside the tunnel because we had no device to contact anyone outside. We were really scared because we had no idea what was going on outside. However, after two days, our company NEC (Navayuga Engineering Company Ltd) started providing water and food and air through pipes,” said Mr. Kumar of Muzaffarpur district who was working as a Boomer operator.

The National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (NHDCL) is constructing the tunnel through NEC.

Asked about returning to work, Mr. Kumar said, “As if now I cannot say anything because I have returned from such a tragedy so my first priority is to meet my family members.”