In this image released by @pushkardhami through X on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, Uttarakhand Prime Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, attends the advance of the Silkyara tunnel in the Uttarkashi district. | Photo credit: x@pushkardhami
In a significant milestone, the excavation of the Silkyara tunnel of 4.53 km in Uttarakhand, completed on Wednesday (April 16, 2025), with Prime Minister Pushkar Dhami saying that it would be after Baba Baukhnag, local deity. A part of the tunnel under construction had collapsed on November 12, 2023, catching 41 construction workers inside. They were rescued after 17 days.
The prime minister inaugurated the Baba Baukhnag temple in the mouth of the tunnel. They congratulated all the engineers, technical experts and workers associated with the project. He said the progress, the meeting of both ends of the tunnel, was not only an advanced engineering success, but a living example of faith and dedication.
He said that the rescue of the Silkyara tunnel was the longest and most complex rescue mission in the world. Each individual involved in the mission demonstrated an extraordinary example of humanity and teamwork. It was a true test of technical and human resolution, and they all joined to guarantee their success.
He also expressed his gratitude to the entire rescue team, rats miners, NDRF, SDRF and all cooperating agencies that played a crucial role in making the operation successful.
“The entire world was seeing Silkyara’s rescue,” Dhami added.
The double lane tunnel is an important project on the Char Dham Yatra route. When built at an estimated cost of ₹ 1,384 million rupees, the tunnel will reduce the distance between Gangotri and Yamunotri by 25 km.
Published – April 16, 2025 08:58 pm ist