<p>The forest fire in Nainital, Uttarakhand, worsened on Friday night (April 26), spreading to the High Court Colony area. Over the past 24 hours, 31 new incidents of forest fires were reported across the state, resulting in the destruction of 33.34 hectares of forest land. Three individuals were arrested&nbsp;in Rudraprayag on Friday while attempting to ignite forest fires.</p>

<p>Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has instructed officials to stay vigilant and implement measures to prevent fires by coordinating with all relevant departments.</p>

<p>The forest fire near the Nainital district headquarters escalated into a dangerous situation, endangering the residents of High Court Colony situated in the Pine area.</p>

<p>It also disrupted traffic flow in the vicinity. In addition to forest department staff, military personnel are assisting in fire suppression efforts. Authorities are considering the deployment of helicopters to extinguish the blaze.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Air Force helicopters are being used to extinguish the fire spreading in the forests of Nainital in Uttarakhand<br />
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But this is the story of every time...How to save Uttarakhand's forests? <a href="https://t.co/4hhbFPjyAa">pic.twitter.com/4hhbFPjyAa</a></p>
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<p>Anil Joshi, a resident of the area and assistant registrar of the High Court said, "The fire has engulfed an old and vacant house located near The Pines. It has not caused any damage to High Court Colony but it has reached dangerously close to the buildings. Efforts are being made to control the fire since evening."</p>

<p>Efforts are underway to extinguish the fire promptly to prevent it from reaching sensitive areas of the Indian Army near the Pines. Additionally, the district administration has prohibited boating on Naini Lake due to the blaze.</p>

<p>Nainital Divisional Forest Officer Chandrashekhar Joshi said, "We have deployed 40 Manora Range personnel and two forest rangers to extinguish the fire."</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-two-crpf-personnel-killed-in-kuki-militant-attack-in-manipur-715550">Also read |&nbsp;India: Two CRPF personnel killed in Kuki militant attack in Manipur</a></p>

<p>As per the latest bulletin from the Forest Department, there were 26 incidents of forest fires in the Kumaon region and five in the Garhwal region within the past 24 hours, affecting a total of 33.34 hectares of forest area.</p>

<p>Since November 1 of last year, the state has witnessed a total of 575 forest fire incidents, impacting 689.89 hectares of forest land and incurring a cost of over $17k.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/joshimath-deja-vu-jammu-and-kashmirs-sinking-road-damages-dozens-of-houses-in-ramban-district-715479">Also read |&nbsp;Joshimath Deja Vu: Jammu and Kashmir's sinking road damages dozens of houses in Ramban district</a></p>

<p>Additionally, three individuals were arrested and jailed for allegedly initiating forest fires in Jakholi and Rudraprayag. Abhimanyu, the Divisional Forest Officer in Rudraprayag, stated in a press release that the arrests were made by a team dedicated to forest fire prevention. Naresh Bhatt, a sheep herder from Tadiyaal village in Jakholi, was arrested&nbsp;while attempting to set fire to the forest.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The forest fire in Nainital, Uttarakhand, worsened on Friday night (April 26), spreading to the High Court Colony area. Over the past 24 hours, 31 new incidents of forest fires were reported across the state, resulting in the destruction of 33.

The forest fire in Nainital, Uttarakhand, worsened on Friday night (April 26), spreading to the High Court Colony area. Over the past 24 hours, 31 new incidents of forest fires were reported across the state, resulting in the destruction of 33.34 hectares of forest land. Three individuals were arrested in Rudraprayag on Friday while attempting to ignite forest fires. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has instructed officials to stay vigilant and implement measures to prevent fires by coordinating with all relevant departments. The forest fire near the Nainital district headquarters escalated into a dangerous situation, endangering the residents of High Court Colony situated in the Pine area. It also disrupted traffic flow in the vicinity. In addition to forest department staff, military personnel are assisting in fire suppression efforts. Authorities are considering the deployment of helicopters to extinguish the blaze. Air Force helicopters are being used to extinguish the fire spreading in the forests of Nainital in Uttarakhand But this is the story of every time...How to save Uttarakhand's forests? pic.twitter.com/4hhbFPjyAa — Uttarakhand (@UttarakhandGo) April 27, 2024 × Anil Joshi, a resident of the area and assistant registrar of the High Court said, "The fire has engulfed an old and vacant house located near The Pines. It has not caused any damage to High Court Colony but it has reached dangerously close to the buildings. Efforts are being made to control the fire since evening." Efforts are underway to extinguish the fire promptly to prevent it from reaching sensitive areas of the Indian Army near the Pines. Additionally, the district administration has prohibited boating on Naini Lake due to the blaze. Nainital Divisional Forest Officer Chandrashekhar Joshi said, "We have deployed 40 Manora Range personnel and two forest rangers to extinguish the fire." Also read | India: Two CRPF personnel killed in Kuki militant attack in Manipur As per the latest bulletin from the Forest Department, there were 26 incidents of forest fires in the Kumaon region and five in the Garhwal region within the past 24 hours, affecting a total of 33.34 hectares of forest area. Since November 1 of last year, the state has witnessed a total of 575 forest fire incidents, impacting 689.89 hectares of forest land and incurring a cost of over $17k. Also read | Joshimath Deja Vu: Jammu and Kashmir's sinking road damages dozens of houses in Ramban district Additionally, three individuals were arrested and jailed for allegedly initiating forest fires in Jakholi and Rudraprayag. Abhimanyu, the Divisional Forest Officer in Rudraprayag, stated in a press release that the arrests were made by a team dedicated to forest fire prevention. Naresh Bhatt, a sheep herder from Tadiyaal village in Jakholi, was arrested while attempting to set fire to the forest. (With inputs from agencies)

India: Army mobilised as massive forest fire engulfs Nainital's High Court colony

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<p><strong>Uttarakhand Lok Sabha Elections 2024:</strong>&nbsp;All five seats of Uttarakhand will go to polls during the first phase of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. In 2019, the Bharatiya Janata Party emerged victorious in all constituencies, and the voter turnout was 61.5 per cent, slightly less than the 2014 general elections.</p>

<p>While the number of seats from Uttarakhand is less as compared to its neighbouring states, it is a key battleground as BJP introduced the Uniform Civil Code in March 2024.</p>

<h2><strong>Uttarakhand Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Key Constituencies And Candidates</strong></h2>

<p>There are five Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttarakhand: Tehri Garhwal, Garhwal, and Almora. Nainital-Udhamsingh Nagar and Haridwar.</p>

<p><strong>Haridwar</strong>: Harish Rawat, the former chief minister of the state, once represented Haridwar. Since 2014, the Bharatiya Janata Party has had a strong hold on the seat. Between 1977 and 2009, the constituency was reserved for the Schedules Castes (SC).</p>

<p>In 2019, BJP leader, former education minister and the fifth chief minister of Uttarakhand, Ramesh Pokhriyal, defeated Congress candidate Amrish Kumar in 2019 with a vote margin of over 2,58,000 votes. Pokriyal has also emerged victorious from the seat in the 2014 Lok Sabha Elections.</p>

<p>However, for the upcoming elections, BJP has fielded Trivendra Singh Rawat from Haridwar. He was the eighth chief minister of Uttarakhand from 18 March 2017 to 10 March 2021. His main competitor is Congress's Virender Rawat, son of Harish Rawat.</p>

<p><strong>Garhwal</strong>: Garhwal includes Chamoli, Pauri Garhwal, Rudraprayag, Nainital (part) and Tehri Garhwal (part). Established in 1957, the constituency has several significant religious places like Badrinath and Kedarnath. Currently, BJP's Tirath Singh Rawat represents the constituency.</p>

<p>In 2019, the seat recorded a voter turnout of 55 per cent. In 2014, Congress's Harak Singh Rawat suffered defeat at the hands of BJP's Tirath Singh Rawat with a margin of over 184,000 votes. This time, BJP has fielded Anil Baluni against Congress candidate Ganesh Godiyal.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Almora</strong>: Almora is a key constituency as it has been reserved for candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) since 2009. It consists of four districts: Bageshwar, Champawat, Almora and Pithoragarh. Congress had a strong hold on the Almora Lok Sabha constituency from 1952 until 1996 when BJP snatched the seat from them.</p>

<p>In 2014 and 2019, BJP's Ajay Tamta emerged victorious in the general elections and will aim for a third win from the seat. Congress has once again fielded Pradeep Tamta, who lost the previous two elections from Ajay Tamta.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Uttarakhand Lok Sabha Elections 2024: All five seats of Uttarakhand will go to polls during the first phase of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. In 2019, the Bharatiya Janata Party emerged victorious in all constituencies, and the voter turnout was 61.

Uttarakhand Lok Sabha Elections 2024: All five seats of Uttarakhand will go to polls during the first phase of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. In 2019, the Bharatiya Janata Party emerged victorious in all constituencies, and the voter turnout was 61.5 per cent, slightly less than the 2014 general elections. While the number of seats from Uttarakhand is less as compared to its neighbouring states, it is a key battleground as BJP introduced the Uniform Civil Code in March 2024. Uttarakhand Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Key Constituencies And Candidates There are five Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttarakhand: Tehri Garhwal, Garhwal, and Almora. Nainital-Udhamsingh Nagar and Haridwar. Haridwar: Harish Rawat, the former chief minister of the state, once represented Haridwar. Since 2014, the Bharatiya Janata Party has had a strong hold on the seat. Between 1977 and 2009, the constituency was reserved for the Schedules Castes (SC). In 2019, BJP leader, former education minister and the fifth chief minister of Uttarakhand, Ramesh Pokhriyal, defeated Congress candidate Amrish Kumar in 2019 with a vote margin of over 2,58,000 votes. Pokriyal has also emerged victorious from the seat in the 2014 Lok Sabha Elections. However, for the upcoming elections, BJP has fielded Trivendra Singh Rawat from Haridwar. He was the eighth chief minister of Uttarakhand from 18 March 2017 to 10 March 2021. His main competitor is Congress's Virender Rawat, son of Harish Rawat. Garhwal: Garhwal includes Chamoli, Pauri Garhwal, Rudraprayag, Nainital (part) and Tehri Garhwal (part). Established in 1957, the constituency has several significant religious places like Badrinath and Kedarnath. Currently, BJP's Tirath Singh Rawat represents the constituency. In 2019, the seat recorded a voter turnout of 55 per cent. In 2014, Congress's Harak Singh Rawat suffered defeat at the hands of BJP's Tirath Singh Rawat with a margin of over 184,000 votes. This time, BJP has fielded Anil Baluni against Congress candidate Ganesh Godiyal. Almora: Almora is a key constituency as it has been reserved for candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) since 2009. It consists of four districts: Bageshwar, Champawat, Almora and Pithoragarh. Congress had a strong hold on the Almora Lok Sabha constituency from 1952 until 1996 when BJP snatched the seat from them. In 2014 and 2019, BJP's Ajay Tamta emerged victorious in the general elections and will aim for a third win from the seat. Congress has once again fielded Pradeep Tamta, who lost the previous two elections from Ajay Tamta. (With inputs from agencies)

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Uttarakhand to vote in Phase 1. Check key candidates and constituencies

<p>The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in India’s Uttarakhand state is all set to table a bill in the assembly aimed at dealing strong-handedly with protesters who damage public property.</p>

<p>Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s government will introduce the 'Uttarakhand Public and Private Property Damage Recovery Bill' in the assembly during the budget session beginning February 26.</p>

<p>The bill comes weeks after violence erupted in the state’s Haldwani district following an anti-encroachment drive. The state authorities demolished a mosque and a madrasa built illegally on government-owned land, a move that prompted violent protests against police forces.</p>

<p>At least six people were killed and several police officers and media personnel were injured in the riots erupted on Feb 8.</p>

<p>The accused in the case have been charged with hatching a criminal conspiracy to mislead the government departments and the court on the basis of false affidavits. The prime accused in the case, Abdul Malik, was arrested by the state police on Saturday (Feb 24) from Delhi.</p>

<h2><strong>Details about the bill</strong></h2>

<p>The bill is aimed at recovering losses to public property, incurred during protests and strikes, from the organisers and the perpetrators of the crime.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw2vGvFUKkPpDDThGohrLbN8" data-ved="2ahUKEwjVsZuD_MaEAxXXsVYBHYZdCoAQxfQBKAB6BAgMEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-assam-scraps-muslim-marriage-act-follows-in-footsteps-of-uttarakhand-paving-way-for-ucc-693302" jsname="YKoRaf">India: Assam scraps Muslim Marriage Act, follows in footsteps of Uttarakhand paving way for UCC</a></strong></p>

<p>If inked into law, the move will see the establishment of a tribunal under the chairmanship of a retired district judge, which will then decide compensation for the loss of properties.</p>

<p>It must be noted that Uttar Pradesh, another BJP-ruled state, passed a similar law back in 2020.</p>

<h2><strong>UCC bill in Uttarakhand</strong></h2>

<p>Interestingly, Uttarakhand became the only state in the country days ago to introduce the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), which proposes uniform civil laws for all communities and religions.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw2K9FXsRqVv_G5jjrTa5t5w" data-ved="2ahUKEwjVsZuD_MaEAxXXsVYBHYZdCoAQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/haldwani-violence-uttarakhand-police-arrest-prime-accused-abdul-malik-from-delhi-693467" jsname="YKoRaf">Haldwani violence: Uttarakhand police arrest prime accused Abdul Malik from Delhi</a></strong></p>

<p>On February 7, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the passage of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill in the Legislative Assembly marked a "historic day in the history of Uttarakhand."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in India’s Uttarakhand state is all set to table a bill in the assembly aimed at dealing strong-handedly with protesters who damage public property.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in India’s Uttarakhand state is all set to table a bill in the assembly aimed at dealing strong-handedly with protesters who damage public property. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s government will introduce the 'Uttarakhand Public and Private Property Damage Recovery Bill' in the assembly during the budget session beginning February 26. The bill comes weeks after violence erupted in the state’s Haldwani district following an anti-encroachment drive. The state authorities demolished a mosque and a madrasa built illegally on government-owned land, a move that prompted violent protests against police forces. At least six people were killed and several police officers and media personnel were injured in the riots erupted on Feb 8. The accused in the case have been charged with hatching a criminal conspiracy to mislead the government departments and the court on the basis of false affidavits. The prime accused in the case, Abdul Malik, was arrested by the state police on Saturday (Feb 24) from Delhi. Details about the bill The bill is aimed at recovering losses to public property, incurred during protests and strikes, from the organisers and the perpetrators of the crime. Also read: India: Assam scraps Muslim Marriage Act, follows in footsteps of Uttarakhand paving way for UCC If inked into law, the move will see the establishment of a tribunal under the chairmanship of a retired district judge, which will then decide compensation for the loss of properties. It must be noted that Uttar Pradesh, another BJP-ruled state, passed a similar law back in 2020. UCC bill in Uttarakhand Interestingly, Uttarakhand became the only state in the country days ago to introduce the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), which proposes uniform civil laws for all communities and religions. Also read: Haldwani violence: Uttarakhand police arrest prime accused Abdul Malik from Delhi On February 7, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the passage of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill in the Legislative Assembly marked a "historic day in the history of Uttarakhand." (With inputs from agencies)

Uttarakhand to table ‘property damage recovery’ bill weeks after Haldwani violence

<p>Police in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand on Saturday (Feb 24) arrested Abdul Malik, the prime accused of February 8 violence.&nbsp;Uttarakhand Police IG, and Police Headquarters spokesperson Nilesh Anand Bharne confirmed to Indian Express that Malik was arrested from Delhi.</p>

<h2><strong>Details about February 8 violence</strong></h2>

<p>Violence erupted in the state’s Haldwani district on February 8 after police carried out a demolition exercise at a government-owned place where a mosque and a madrasa stood.</p>

<p>The demolition drive started at 4:30 pm and was finished within one hour. However, it was followed by massive stone pelting, arson and encirclement of the local police station, prompting state Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami to issue ‘shoot at sight’ orders.</p>

<p>The crowd reportedly overwhelmed the present police forces, forcing the state to dispatch reinforcements. The situation was brought under control by 9 pm.</p>

<p>Police said the mosque and madrasa were operated by Malik.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Haldwani violence: What's happening in Haldwani? Why did govt issue shoot-at-sight order?</strong></p>

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<p>Abdul Malik was subsequently served a notice by the Haldwani Municipal Corporation asking him to deposit INR 2.44 crore ($300,000) to cover the damages caused to government property.</p>

<h2><strong>NGO accused of fuelling violence</strong></h2>

<p>Earlier on Friday (Feb 23), Uttarakhand police said they had identified an NGO accused of fuelling the Feb 8 violence by distributing funds.</p>

<p>In a statement released on social media, police warned the benefactors of the non-profit that those donated are being identified.</p>

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<p>"A video is being circulated on social media in which a young man is distributing money among the people in Banbhoolpura area. Police are investigating in this regard. Information related to the NGO's account number, registration number, PAN number has also been given to the Income Tax Department and other agencies, by which necessary action is being taken," the police said in a statement.</p>

<p>Police added that the individuals who donated to the ‘Hyderabad Youth Courage NGO’ are being identified.</p>

<p>The process to seize the bank account and registration number of the NGO had also been started by the authorities.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Police in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand on Saturday (Feb 24) arrested Abdul Malik, the prime accused of February 8 violence. Uttarakhand Police IG, and Police Headquarters spokesperson Nilesh Anand Bharne confirmed to Indian Express that Malik was arrested from Delhi.

Police in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand on Saturday (Feb 24) arrested Abdul Malik, the prime accused of February 8 violence. Uttarakhand Police IG, and Police Headquarters spokesperson Nilesh Anand Bharne confirmed to Indian Express that Malik was arrested from Delhi. Details about February 8 violence Violence erupted in the state’s Haldwani district on February 8 after police carried out a demolition exercise at a government-owned place where a mosque and a madrasa stood. The demolition drive started at 4:30 pm and was finished within one hour. However, it was followed by massive stone pelting, arson and encirclement of the local police station, prompting state Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami to issue ‘shoot at sight’ orders. The crowd reportedly overwhelmed the present police forces, forcing the state to dispatch reinforcements. The situation was brought under control by 9 pm. Police said the mosque and madrasa were operated by Malik. Watch: Haldwani violence: What's happening in Haldwani? Why did govt issue shoot-at-sight order? × Abdul Malik was subsequently served a notice by the Haldwani Municipal Corporation asking him to deposit INR 2.44 crore ($300,000) to cover the damages caused to government property. NGO accused of fuelling violence Earlier on Friday (Feb 23), Uttarakhand police said they had identified an NGO accused of fuelling the Feb 8 violence by distributing funds. In a statement released on social media, police warned the benefactors of the non-profit that those donated are being identified. Also read: Haldwani: SC stays Uttarakhand HC order for removal of encroachments from Railway land "A video is being circulated on social media in which a young man is distributing money among the people in Banbhoolpura area. Police are investigating in this regard. Information related to the NGO's account number, registration number, PAN number has also been given to the Income Tax Department and other agencies, by which necessary action is being taken," the police said in a statement. Police added that the individuals who donated to the ‘Hyderabad Youth Courage NGO’ are being identified. The process to seize the bank account and registration number of the NGO had also been started by the authorities. (With inputs from agencies)

Haldwani violence: Uttarakhand police arrest prime accused Abdul Malik from Delhi

Clashes erupted between locals & police in Uttarakhand's Haldwani over the demolition of madrasa on Feb 8. The demolition drive had triggered violence, rioters pelted stones on Police. Latest in the Haldwani violence: The Curfew has been lifted from outer areas of Haldwani in Uttarakhand, but the internet services remain suspended. Watch to know more!

India: Curfew lifted from outer areas of Haldwani in Uttarakhand

<p>The death toll in violence over an anti-encroachment drive in Haldwani in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand has been revised to two. Senior police superintendent Prahlad Narayan Meena reportedly said, “Earlier there was confusion... that four people died...we received information about two deaths each from Krishna Hospital and Sushila Tiwari Hospital. But it later came to light that two dead bodies which were initially brought to Krishna Hospital were subsequently taken to Sushila Tiwari Hospital. So there was doubling.”</p>

<p>At least 250 others were injured as the demolition led to&nbsp;communal tensions.</p>

<p>A 'shoot-at-sight' order was issued by authorities in Haldwani, located in Nainital district in Uttarakhand.</p>

<p>The demolition drive targeted an "illegally built" madrasa (an educational institution run by the Muslim community), and an underground mosque-like structure that, according to authorities,&nbsp;was illegally constructed on government land in the Banbhulpura area.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Police official Prahlad Meena said the madrasa demolition took place after prior notice to the residents.</p>

<p>He said that people living around the madrasa hurled stones at the police personnel and journalists, leaving some injured.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-pragati-maidan-tunnel-needs-major-revamp-due-to-negligence-in-maintenance-delay-in-completion-688390">Delhi's Pragati Maidan Tunnel needs 'major revamp' due to seepage, design flaws</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>The district magistrate has imposed a curfew in the Banbhoolpura region after a tense situation triggered amid an anti-encroachment drive.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Uttarakhand DGP Abhinav Kumar told ANI news agency that the state government has also demanded the Ministry of Home Affairs for additional police force&nbsp;and has deployed four additional central forces.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch: Battle of papers between BJP and Congress over economy</strong></p>

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<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-politicians-son-shot-dead-on-facebook-live-in-mumbai-688376">Shiv Sena (UBT) politician's son shot dead during Facebook live</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>"Around 4 pm today, a joint team of District Administration and Police was conducting an anti-encroachment drive in Banbhoolpura, Haldwani as per the Court's order. Opposing that, a few anti-social elements pelted stones and caused arson," Kumar said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It is also being said that they fired at the police using illegal weapons. DIG Kumaon reached the spot immediately and additional police forces have also been called there."</p>

<p>"The State Government has also demanded that the MHA [Ministry of Home Affairs] provide additional Police forces. MHA has made 4 companies of additional central forces available to us," he added, further adding that the situation, however, is under control.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Officials said that local residents pelted stones at police and torched vehicles.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


The death toll in violence over an anti-encroachment drive in Haldwani in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand has been revised to two. Senior police superintendent Prahlad Narayan Meena reportedly said, “Earlier there was confusion.

The death toll in violence over an anti-encroachment drive in Haldwani in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand has been revised to two. Senior police superintendent Prahlad Narayan Meena reportedly said, “Earlier there was confusion... that four people died...we received information about two deaths each from Krishna Hospital and Sushila Tiwari Hospital. But it later came to light that two dead bodies which were initially brought to Krishna Hospital were subsequently taken to Sushila Tiwari Hospital. So there was doubling.” At least 250 others were injured as the demolition led to communal tensions. A 'shoot-at-sight' order was issued by authorities in Haldwani, located in Nainital district in Uttarakhand. The demolition drive targeted an "illegally built" madrasa (an educational institution run by the Muslim community), and an underground mosque-like structure that, according to authorities, was illegally constructed on government land in the Banbhulpura area. Police official Prahlad Meena said the madrasa demolition took place after prior notice to the residents. He said that people living around the madrasa hurled stones at the police personnel and journalists, leaving some injured. Also read: Delhi's Pragati Maidan Tunnel needs 'major revamp' due to seepage, design flaws The district magistrate has imposed a curfew in the Banbhoolpura region after a tense situation triggered amid an anti-encroachment drive. Uttarakhand DGP Abhinav Kumar told ANI news agency that the state government has also demanded the Ministry of Home Affairs for additional police force and has deployed four additional central forces. Watch: Battle of papers between BJP and Congress over economy × Also read: Shiv Sena (UBT) politician's son shot dead during Facebook live "Around 4 pm today, a joint team of District Administration and Police was conducting an anti-encroachment drive in Banbhoolpura, Haldwani as per the Court's order. Opposing that, a few anti-social elements pelted stones and caused arson," Kumar said. "It is also being said that they fired at the police using illegal weapons. DIG Kumaon reached the spot immediately and additional police forces have also been called there." "The State Government has also demanded that the MHA [Ministry of Home Affairs] provide additional Police forces. MHA has made 4 companies of additional central forces available to us," he added, further adding that the situation, however, is under control. Officials said that local residents pelted stones at police and torched vehicles. (With inputs from agencies)

Uttarakhand's Haldwani violence over anti-encroachment drive: Death toll revised to 2

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At least four people have died in Haldwani. Rioters are targeting policemen. The government has issued a shoot-at-sight order. What's happening in Uttarakhand's Haldwani?

Haldwani violence: What's happening in Haldwani? Why did govt issue shoot-at-sight order?

<p>The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday (Feb 6) conducted searches against Congress leader and former minister Harak Singh Rawat as part of a money laundering investigation, official sources said.</p>

<p>The searches were carried out at multiple premises in Uttarakhand, Delhi and Chandigarh, they said.</p>

<p>Rawat had quit the BJP ahead of the 2022 Uttarakhand assembly polls and joined the Congress.</p>

<p>The ED investigation is understood to be linked to alleged illegal activities in the state's Corbett Tiger Reserve.</p>


The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday (Feb 6) conducted searches against Congress leader and former minister Harak Singh Rawat as part of a money laundering investigation, official sources said.

The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday (Feb 6) conducted searches against Congress leader and former minister Harak Singh Rawat as part of a money laundering investigation, official sources said. The searches were carried out at multiple premises in Uttarakhand, Delhi and Chandigarh, they said. Rawat had quit the BJP ahead of the 2022 Uttarakhand assembly polls and joined the Congress. The ED investigation is understood to be linked to alleged illegal activities in the state's Corbett Tiger Reserve.

India: ED raids former Uttarakhand minister Harak Singh Rawat's houses in money laundering probe

Uttarakhand has introduced the Uniform Civil Code. The UCC deals with the aspects of marriage, divorce & succession. It also holds provisions for live-in relationships.

Uttarakhand UCC bill: What are the new live-in relationship rules?

The Indian state of Uttarakhand, has presented a bill on personal laws that will apply across religions. It is called the Uniform Civil Code. The draft bill includes recommendations such as banning polygamy and granting equal inheritance rights to sons and daughters.

Gravitas | Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand next? BJP seeks to give women more rights

India's Uttarakhand government has tabled the contentious Uniform Civil Code bill in state assembly. What are the key provisions? And why are contents of the bill controversial?

Uttarakhand government tables UCC bill

<p>Once the Uniform Civil Code is enacted in Uttarakhand, individuals engaging in live-in relationships, including those planning to enter such arrangements, must register with district officials, reports&nbsp;ANI. Moreover, parental consent is mandatory for individuals below 21 years of age.</p>

<p>Live-in relationships will not be registered under certain conditions, such as if they contravene public policy or morality, involve a married or otherwise committed partner, or if one partner is a minor. Consent obtained through coercion, fraud, or misrepresentation will also invalidate registration.</p>

<p>A dedicated website will facilitate the registration process, with details subject to verification by the District Registrar. A "summary inquiry" will be conducted to validate the relationship, with the Registrar authorised to summon involved parties or witnesses.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-uniform-civil-code-bill-tabled-in-uttarakhand-assembly-by-cm-dhami-live-updates-687375">Also read |&nbsp;India: Uniform Civil Code Bill tabled in Uttarakhand assembly by CM Dhami</a></p>

<h2><strong>Consequences of refusal or termination</strong></h2>

<p>Should registration be refused, the Registrar must provide written reasons. Termination of registered relationships requires a prescribed format statement, which, if deemed incorrect or suspicious, may trigger police investigation. Parents or guardians of individuals under 21 must be informed.</p>

<p>Failure to declare live-in relationships or providing false information can result in imprisonment&nbsp;for up to three months, a fine of ₹25,000 ($300), or both. Non-registration may lead to a maximum six-month jail term, a ₹25,000 ($300) fine, or both. Even a delayed registration could incur penalties.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Nijjar killing: India refuses to aid Canada in probe till evidence is shared</strong></p>

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<p>Children born out of live-in relationships will be considered legitimate and entitled to legal recognition. They will have equal inheritance rights, regardless of gender.</p>

<p>Women deserted by their live-in partners can claim maintenance, though 'desertion' remains undefined.</p>

<p>The introduction of a Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand fulfills a key electoral promise of the BJP government. Drafted after extensive public consultation, it aims to standardise personal laws, including marriage, divorce, and inheritance. Similar initiatives are underway in other BJP-ruled states like Assam, with exemptions for tribal communities.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Once the Uniform Civil Code is enacted in Uttarakhand, individuals engaging in live-in relationships, including those planning to enter such arrangements, must register with district officials, reports ANI.

Once the Uniform Civil Code is enacted in Uttarakhand, individuals engaging in live-in relationships, including those planning to enter such arrangements, must register with district officials, reports ANI. Moreover, parental consent is mandatory for individuals below 21 years of age. Live-in relationships will not be registered under certain conditions, such as if they contravene public policy or morality, involve a married or otherwise committed partner, or if one partner is a minor. Consent obtained through coercion, fraud, or misrepresentation will also invalidate registration. A dedicated website will facilitate the registration process, with details subject to verification by the District Registrar. A "summary inquiry" will be conducted to validate the relationship, with the Registrar authorised to summon involved parties or witnesses. Also read | India: Uniform Civil Code Bill tabled in Uttarakhand assembly by CM Dhami Consequences of refusal or termination Should registration be refused, the Registrar must provide written reasons. Termination of registered relationships requires a prescribed format statement, which, if deemed incorrect or suspicious, may trigger police investigation. Parents or guardians of individuals under 21 must be informed. Failure to declare live-in relationships or providing false information can result in imprisonment for up to three months, a fine of ₹25,000 ($300), or both. Non-registration may lead to a maximum six-month jail term, a ₹25,000 ($300) fine, or both. Even a delayed registration could incur penalties. Also watch | Nijjar killing: India refuses to aid Canada in probe till evidence is shared Children born out of live-in relationships will be considered legitimate and entitled to legal recognition. They will have equal inheritance rights, regardless of gender. Women deserted by their live-in partners can claim maintenance, though 'desertion' remains undefined. The introduction of a Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand fulfills a key electoral promise of the BJP government. Drafted after extensive public consultation, it aims to standardise personal laws, including marriage, divorce, and inheritance. Similar initiatives are underway in other BJP-ruled states like Assam, with exemptions for tribal communities. (With inputs from agencies)

India: Uttarakhand mandates live-in registrations, requires parental approval for under-21s

<p>Uniform Civil Code Uttarakhand 2024 Bill was tabled in the legislature of the north Indian state on Tuesday&nbsp;(Feb 6). Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has pitched the proposed law&nbsp;"for the good of all sections"&nbsp; and has claimed that the move aligns with&nbsp;'<em>Sab ka Saath, Sab ka Vikas</em>' and '<em>Ek Bharat, Sreshtha Bharat</em>' (together for everyone's development and united, great India)&nbsp;vision of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.</p>

<p>Dhami called it a moment of pride, adding that Uttarakhand will be the first to move towards implementing Uniform Civil Code.</p>

<p>The bill was tabled during the second day of the ongoing four-day special session of the assembly.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami tables the Uniform Civil Code Uttarakhand 2024 Bill in State Assembly, in Dehradun. <a href="https://t.co/B1LRzfoC09">pic.twitter.com/B1LRzfoC09</a></p>
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<p>On Sunday (Feb 4), the Uttarakhand Cabinet approved the final draft of the UCC, which proposes uniform civil laws for all communities in the state.</p>

<p>Union Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal said on Monday that the Uniform Civil Code is in the consultation process and being reviewed by the Law Commission of India.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-uttarakhand-assembly-to-table-uniform-civil-code-to-recommend-new-divorce-laws-no-polygamy-687350">New divorce laws, no polygamy: India's Uttarakhand bats for UCC, here's all you need to know about the bill</a></strong></p>

<p>"This is not just the issue of the Centre; the makers of the Constitution had discussed this even when the Constitution was being made...Right now, this matter is under consideration with the Law Commission of India and is in the consultation process. The states can fix it or improve it, and the government of Goa has already worked on UCC. The Uttarakhand government has approved this in the cabinet and as soon as we get a report by the Law Commission, we will inform you..." said Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Uniform Civil Code: Indian PM pitches for UCC, slams opposition’s vote-bank politics</strong></p>

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<p>Retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai headed the government-appointed panel which drafted a four-volume, 749-page report that contains many recommendations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>'<em>Vande Mataram</em>'&nbsp;and '<em>Jai Shri Ram</em>' (Glory to the motherland and Hail Lord Ram) slogans were raised by MLAs inside State Assembly shortly after CM Pushkar Dhami tabled the bill.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Uniform Civil Code Uttarakhand 2024 Bill was tabled in the legislature of the north Indian state on Tuesday (Feb 6). Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has pitched the proposed law "for the good of all sections" and has claimed that the move aligns with 'Sab ka Saath, Sab ka Vikas' and 'Ek Bharat, Sreshtha Bharat' (together for everyone's development and united, great India) vision of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Uniform Civil Code Uttarakhand 2024 Bill was tabled in the legislature of the north Indian state on Tuesday (Feb 6). Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has pitched the proposed law "for the good of all sections" and has claimed that the move aligns with 'Sab ka Saath, Sab ka Vikas' and 'Ek Bharat, Sreshtha Bharat' (together for everyone's development and united, great India) vision of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Dhami called it a moment of pride, adding that Uttarakhand will be the first to move towards implementing Uniform Civil Code. The bill was tabled during the second day of the ongoing four-day special session of the assembly. #WATCH | Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami tables the Uniform Civil Code Uttarakhand 2024 Bill in State Assembly, in Dehradun. pic.twitter.com/B1LRzfoC09 — ANI (@ANI) February 6, 2024 × On Sunday (Feb 4), the Uttarakhand Cabinet approved the final draft of the UCC, which proposes uniform civil laws for all communities in the state. Union Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal said on Monday that the Uniform Civil Code is in the consultation process and being reviewed by the Law Commission of India. Also read | New divorce laws, no polygamy: India's Uttarakhand bats for UCC, here's all you need to know about the bill "This is not just the issue of the Centre; the makers of the Constitution had discussed this even when the Constitution was being made...Right now, this matter is under consideration with the Law Commission of India and is in the consultation process. The states can fix it or improve it, and the government of Goa has already worked on UCC. The Uttarakhand government has approved this in the cabinet and as soon as we get a report by the Law Commission, we will inform you..." said Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. Also watch | Uniform Civil Code: Indian PM pitches for UCC, slams opposition’s vote-bank politics × Retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai headed the government-appointed panel which drafted a four-volume, 749-page report that contains many recommendations. 'Vande Mataram' and 'Jai Shri Ram' (Glory to the motherland and Hail Lord Ram) slogans were raised by MLAs inside State Assembly shortly after CM Pushkar Dhami tabled the bill. (With inputs from agencies)

India: Uniform Civil Code Bill tabled in Uttarakhand assembly by CM Dhami

<p>The legislature of the north Indian state of Uttarakhand tabled a bill on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) on Tuesday (Feb 6).&nbsp;</p>

<p>Uttarakhand's Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who has been leading this move, on Monday (Feb 5) said that the proposed UCC will not only be "for the good of all sections" but will also align the &nbsp;'Sab ka Saath, Sab ka Vikas' (development for everyone) and 'Ek Bharat, Sreshtha Bharat' (one, great India) vision of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.</p>

<p>The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is legislation aimed at a singular socio-cultural code for all communities irrespective of religion or caste.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai headed the government-appointed panel which drafted a four-volume, 749-page report that contains many recommendations.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What suggestions did the panel receive?</strong></h2>

<p>A total of 233,000 written feedback forms were collected by the panel online and it hosted more than 70 public forums.</p>

<p>The members of the government-appointed panel, during these meetings, involved nearly 60,000 people who helped in developing the draft. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The UCC contains different proposals which include a complete ban on polygamy as well as child marriage. It also proposes a uniform process for divorce and a standardised marriageable age for girls across different faiths.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The UCC's recommendations, which are aimed at fostering gender equality as well as social cohesion, will be discussed during the special four-day assembly session which started on Monday (Feb 5) and continued till Thursday (Feb 8).&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/what-is-uniform-civil-code-heres-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-law-its-origin-current-status-604902">What is Uniform Civil Code? Here's everything you need to know about the law, its origin &amp; current status</a></p>

<p>The UCC draft includes different facets of civilian life as recommendations include mandatory marriage registration, an extension of inheritance rights, as well as increasing the marriageable age for girls and facilitating girls' pursuit of education before their marriage.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, in an attempt to push for legal documentation, couples who do not register their marriages will be considered ineligible for government facilities.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What did the Uniform Civil Code recommend?&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Although the specific recommendations included in the draft document of the Uniform Civil Code remain undisclosed, the media reports suggested that the UCC will establish a legal framework which encompasses marriage, divorce, land, property, and inheritance laws, which will not be affected by the religious affiliations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Uniform Civil Code if enacted will make Uttarakhand the first state in post-Independence India to have adopted it, after Goa where it has remained operational since the days when the Portuguese ruled the territory.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Uttarakhand's proposed UCC goes beyond religious boundaries and everyone's adoption rights, which includes Muslim women.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The UCC seeks a ban on practices like halala and iddat - which are Islamic practices that women are supposed to go through after the husband's death or divorce - and promotes simplification of adoption procedures and the declaration of live-in relationships.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Uttarakhand: Uniform Civil Code bill to be tabled in assembly on February 6th</strong></p>

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<p>The practice of iddat was in the headlines of Pakistan's media days back after its former prime minister Imran Khan's wife Bushra Khan was accused of not waiting for the completion of the waiting period after getting divorced from her former husband and married Khan in 2018.</p>

<p>The Scheduled Tribes, which constitute 3 per cent of Uttarakhand's population and population control measures have not been included in the draft.</p>

<p>The UCC's other key features include the removal of distinctions between illegitimate and legitimate children, equal treatment to adopted and biologically born children and equal property rights for sons and daughters.&nbsp;</p>

<p>If a person dies, as per the proposed UCC, his spouse, children, and parents will get equal property rights, which is a move ahead from previous laws which limited such rights.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


The legislature of the north Indian state of Uttarakhand tabled a bill on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) on Tuesday (Feb 6). Uttarakhand's Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who has been leading this move, on Monday (Feb 5) said that the proposed UCC will not only be "for the good of all sections" but will also align the 'Sab ka Saath, Sab ka Vikas' (development for everyone) and 'Ek Bharat, Sreshtha Bharat' (one, great India) vision of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The legislature of the north Indian state of Uttarakhand tabled a bill on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) on Tuesday (Feb 6). Uttarakhand's Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who has been leading this move, on Monday (Feb 5) said that the proposed UCC will not only be "for the good of all sections" but will also align the 'Sab ka Saath, Sab ka Vikas' (development for everyone) and 'Ek Bharat, Sreshtha Bharat' (one, great India) vision of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is legislation aimed at a singular socio-cultural code for all communities irrespective of religion or caste. Retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai headed the government-appointed panel which drafted a four-volume, 749-page report that contains many recommendations. What suggestions did the panel receive? A total of 233,000 written feedback forms were collected by the panel online and it hosted more than 70 public forums. The members of the government-appointed panel, during these meetings, involved nearly 60,000 people who helped in developing the draft. The UCC contains different proposals which include a complete ban on polygamy as well as child marriage. It also proposes a uniform process for divorce and a standardised marriageable age for girls across different faiths. The UCC's recommendations, which are aimed at fostering gender equality as well as social cohesion, will be discussed during the special four-day assembly session which started on Monday (Feb 5) and continued till Thursday (Feb 8). Also read: What is Uniform Civil Code? Here's everything you need to know about the law, its origin & current status The UCC draft includes different facets of civilian life as recommendations include mandatory marriage registration, an extension of inheritance rights, as well as increasing the marriageable age for girls and facilitating girls' pursuit of education before their marriage. Meanwhile, in an attempt to push for legal documentation, couples who do not register their marriages will be considered ineligible for government facilities. What did the Uniform Civil Code recommend? Although the specific recommendations included in the draft document of the Uniform Civil Code remain undisclosed, the media reports suggested that the UCC will establish a legal framework which encompasses marriage, divorce, land, property, and inheritance laws, which will not be affected by the religious affiliations. The Uniform Civil Code if enacted will make Uttarakhand the first state in post-Independence India to have adopted it, after Goa where it has remained operational since the days when the Portuguese ruled the territory. Uttarakhand's proposed UCC goes beyond religious boundaries and everyone's adoption rights, which includes Muslim women. The UCC seeks a ban on practices like halala and iddat - which are Islamic practices that women are supposed to go through after the husband's death or divorce - and promotes simplification of adoption procedures and the declaration of live-in relationships. Watch: Uttarakhand: Uniform Civil Code bill to be tabled in assembly on February 6th The practice of iddat was in the headlines of Pakistan's media days back after its former prime minister Imran Khan's wife Bushra Khan was accused of not waiting for the completion of the waiting period after getting divorced from her former husband and married Khan in 2018. The Scheduled Tribes, which constitute 3 per cent of Uttarakhand's population and population control measures have not been included in the draft. The UCC's other key features include the removal of distinctions between illegitimate and legitimate children, equal treatment to adopted and biologically born children and equal property rights for sons and daughters. If a person dies, as per the proposed UCC, his spouse, children, and parents will get equal property rights, which is a move ahead from previous laws which limited such rights. (With inputs from agencies)

New divorce laws, no polygamy: India's Uttarakhand bats for UCC, here's all you need to know about the bill

The Uttarakhand Cabinet approved the UCC (Uniform Civil Code) Bill at the Cabinet meeting on Sunday.

Uniform Civil Code Bill to be tabled in Uttarakhand assembly

Uttarakhand may soon have a Uniform Civil Code. The Uttarakhand Cabinet has approved the final draft of the Uniform Civil Code. The 800-page report was submitted by a high-level government-appointed committee. The committee, however, recommended to exempt tribal communities from the purview of the legislation. What is the Uniform Civil Code?

UCC final draft to be tabled in Uttarakhand assembly

India's Uttarakhand cabinet has proofed the Uniform Civil Code draft report. The draft submitted by a five-member UCC panel will now be tabled during a specially convened assembly session on February 6th.

Uttarakhand: Uniform Civil Code bill to be tabled in assembly on February 6th

When heavy machinery broke down trying to break through the debris trapping 41 workers in the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi, authorities called in a group of people whose profession is banned in India- 'rat hole mining'. The "rat-hole" miners who work manually, broke through the remaining length of debris and pushed a pipe to the trapped workers. Here is the story of one of the most daring rescue operations in the Himalayas.

Rat hole miners: Unexpected heroes of India tunnel rescue

In an exclusive conversation with WION, Arnold Dix, tunnelling expert who was roped in for the Uttarkashi tunnel rescue operation, talked about the challenges the team faced in rescuing 41 trapped workers.

Uttarkashi tunnel rescue: Man who spearheaded India's tunnel rescue operation on WION

<p>When Diwali, the festival of lights was being celebrated all across India and the rest of the world, darkness fell upon 41 construction workers who got trapped in a tunnel in the Himalayas in northern India. Over 400 hours later, the 41 trapped workers saw all the light they could not see inside the darkness of that tunnel.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The 4.5 km Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand state, about 400 km north of New Delhi, is part of the ₹12,000 crore ($1.43bn) Char Dham Highway Development Project, one of the flagship infrastructure programmes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration. The project has been branded as a way to ease travel to Hindu pilgrimage sites in the Uttarakhand state as well as all-weather connectivity for the movement of military equipment towards India's unresolved international boundary with a territorially assertive China.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Char Dham Project | 'Need good roads to defend India,' states Centre</strong></p>

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<p>On November 12, the Silkyara tunnel caved into itself, around 200 metres from one end of the tunnel's entrance. Most of the 41 workers who were trapped hail from some of India's poorest districts. They fall into two salary brackets: ₹24,000 for skilled workers; and ₹18,000 for unskilled workers, such as labourers or helpers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>An <em>Indian Express</em> report quoted their relatives as saying that the men work 12 hours a day, seven days a week and can take two leave days in a month.&nbsp;</p>

<p>One of the trapped workers, Manjeet, is a 22-year-old from Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh state. His father, Chaudhary reached the site of the tunnel collapse on November 13, a day after the incident after taking a loan of ₹9,000 against his wife's jewellery.<img alt="Choudhary, shows a picture of his son Manjeet Kumar on Nov 21, 2023. The two were reunited on the night on Nov 22, 2023 | AFP" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7c773e94-60c0-48e2-8e55-090fd44702dc" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-11-29T123233.537.png" />&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>Choudhary, shows a picture of his son Manjeet Kumar on Nov 21, 2023. The two were reunited on the night on Nov 22, 2023 | AFP</em></p>

<p>The administration gave Chaudhary a jacket and shoes and repaid the ₹9,000 loan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Manjeet is now free from the weeks of the dark ordeal of that tunnel, but even after an anticipated allotment of government allowance, poverty awaits him at home, at least for the immediate future.&nbsp;</p>

<p>To the credit of Prime Minister Modi and his deadline-honouring transport minister Nitin Gadkari, India is getting an infrastructure upgrade on a scale unprecedented outside China and Japan. The world's fifth largest economy has added 50,000 km of national highway into its existing network in the past eight years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While Modi's focus to enmesh India in a high-quality transport network has been designed to spread material prosperity with tourism as its first offshoot, its makers like Manjeet and 40 other rescued workers from that tunnel, are devoid of the same.</p>

<h2><strong>Successful rescue restores India's respect for human life but questions remain</strong></h2>

<p>The collaborative effort led by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) to deploy 22 government agencies for the rescue of 41 trapped workers has been nothing short of remarkable. It took 17 days to avert a tragedy but it was averted nonetheless, restoring the sheer respect for human life in the process.</p>

<p>But the 17 days of rescue effort also underscored that the respect for human life in India is mostly a function of reaction to a crisis and not a default programming to the <em>jugaad</em>-intense psyche of Indian progress.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The crisis has exposed the gaps in the implementation of the standards for excavation and tunnelling, especially in the Himalayan states such as Uttarakhand.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to an <a href="https://pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1521024">official readout</a> from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, dated Feb 20, 2018, the Silkyara Bend-Barkot tunnel in Uttarakhand was supposed to be built with an 'escape passage'.</p>

<p>A serving official at the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) told the<em> Economic Times</em> that the escape passage is supposed to be activated at the time of operation and is "not required" during construction.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/video-first-reaction-of-rescued-uttarakhand-tunnel-worker-describes-17-day-ordeal-664105">Video: Rescued Uttarakhand tunnel worker describes 17-day ordeal in first reaction</a></strong></p>

<p>The question now arises - Why safety during underground construction is a matter of one among many requirements and not first among all necessities?</p>

<p>A safety audit announced in response to the tunnel collapse may show how many more potential Silkyara-like crisis-posing tunnels are under construction across India among the 29 that are currently being built.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It may take more than a few months for that audit's findings to emerge.</p>

<p>But until then, the Silkyara tunnel crisis encapsulates the way India's leap forward to emerge as a global power is stuck between poverty of individuals like Manjeet&nbsp;and the collective negligence of the authorities involved in country's remarkable infrastructure upgrade.</p>

<p>The ambition of the world's fifth largest economy to grow beyond its current stature in the world, by utilising the offshoots of infrastructure upgrades — such as tourism — must be met with respect for human life above everything else.</p>

<p><em><strong>(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)</strong></em></p>


When Diwali, the festival of lights was being celebrated all across India and the rest of the world, darkness fell upon 41 construction workers who got trapped in a tunnel in the Himalayas in northern India.

When Diwali, the festival of lights was being celebrated all across India and the rest of the world, darkness fell upon 41 construction workers who got trapped in a tunnel in the Himalayas in northern India. Over 400 hours later, the 41 trapped workers saw all the light they could not see inside the darkness of that tunnel. The 4.5 km Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand state, about 400 km north of New Delhi, is part of the ₹12,000 crore ($1.43bn) Char Dham Highway Development Project, one of the flagship infrastructure programmes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration. The project has been branded as a way to ease travel to Hindu pilgrimage sites in the Uttarakhand state as well as all-weather connectivity for the movement of military equipment towards India's unresolved international boundary with a territorially assertive China. Also watch | Char Dham Project | 'Need good roads to defend India,' states Centre × On November 12, the Silkyara tunnel caved into itself, around 200 metres from one end of the tunnel's entrance. Most of the 41 workers who were trapped hail from some of India's poorest districts. They fall into two salary brackets: ₹24,000 for skilled workers; and ₹18,000 for unskilled workers, such as labourers or helpers. An Indian Express report quoted their relatives as saying that the men work 12 hours a day, seven days a week and can take two leave days in a month. One of the trapped workers, Manjeet, is a 22-year-old from Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh state. His father, Chaudhary reached the site of the tunnel collapse on November 13, a day after the incident after taking a loan of ₹9,000 against his wife's jewellery. Choudhary, shows a picture of his son Manjeet Kumar on Nov 21, 2023. The two were reunited on the night on Nov 22, 2023 | AFP The administration gave Chaudhary a jacket and shoes and repaid the ₹9,000 loan. Manjeet is now free from the weeks of the dark ordeal of that tunnel, but even after an anticipated allotment of government allowance, poverty awaits him at home, at least for the immediate future. To the credit of Prime Minister Modi and his deadline-honouring transport minister Nitin Gadkari, India is getting an infrastructure upgrade on a scale unprecedented outside China and Japan. The world's fifth largest economy has added 50,000 km of national highway into its existing network in the past eight years. While Modi's focus to enmesh India in a high-quality transport network has been designed to spread material prosperity with tourism as its first offshoot, its makers like Manjeet and 40 other rescued workers from that tunnel, are devoid of the same. Successful rescue restores India's respect for human life but questions remain The collaborative effort led by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) to deploy 22 government agencies for the rescue of 41 trapped workers has been nothing short of remarkable. It took 17 days to avert a tragedy but it was averted nonetheless, restoring the sheer respect for human life in the process. But the 17 days of rescue effort also underscored that the respect for human life in India is mostly a function of reaction to a crisis and not a default programming to the jugaad-intense psyche of Indian progress. The crisis has exposed the gaps in the implementation of the standards for excavation and tunnelling, especially in the Himalayan states such as Uttarakhand. According to an official readout from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, dated Feb 20, 2018, the Silkyara Bend-Barkot tunnel in Uttarakhand was supposed to be built with an 'escape passage'. A serving official at the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) told the Economic Times that the escape passage is supposed to be activated at the time of operation and is "not required" during construction. Also read | Video: Rescued Uttarakhand tunnel worker describes 17-day ordeal in first reaction The question now arises - Why safety during underground construction is a matter of one among many requirements and not first among all necessities? A safety audit announced in response to the tunnel collapse may show how many more potential Silkyara-like crisis-posing tunnels are under construction across India among the 29 that are currently being built. It may take more than a few months for that audit's findings to emerge. But until then, the Silkyara tunnel crisis encapsulates the way India's leap forward to emerge as a global power is stuck between poverty of individuals like Manjeet and the collective negligence of the authorities involved in country's remarkable infrastructure upgrade. The ambition of the world's fifth largest economy to grow beyond its current stature in the world, by utilising the offshoots of infrastructure upgrades — such as tourism — must be met with respect for human life above everything else. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Trapped by poverty, freed by a national ambition — Uttarakhand tunnel rescue sums up India of 2023

<p>One of the 41 rescued workers who were trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel in the Himalayas for 17 days has spoken to the media. Vishwajeet Kumar Verma, who was trapped inside the tunnel on November 12, spoke to the news agency ANI and detailed the ordeal he faced along with the rest of the 40 workers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"When the debris fell, we knew that we were stuck. For the first 10-15 hours we faced difficulty. But later, a pipe was put in to provide us with rice, dal and dry fruits," Kumar, who hails from eastern India's Jharkhand state,&nbsp;told news agency ANI.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | First exclusive byte of rescued worker, Vishwajeet Kumar Verma, who narrates his 17-day ordeal of being trapped in the Silkyara tunnel<br />
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"When the debris fell, we knew that we were stuck. For the first 10-15 hours we faced difficulty. But later, a pipe was put in to… <a href="https://t.co/65X4afMVvB">pic.twitter.com/65X4afMVvB</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1729703725474906460?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>"Later on the tenth day, a mic was installed and I was able to talk to my family members...I am happy now, will celebrate Diwali now," Kumar said.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/uttarakhand-tunnel-rescue-is-like-the-finest-heart-surgery-in-himalayas-says-arnold-dix-662295">Uttarakhand tunnel rescue is like the 'finest heart surgery' in Himalayas, says expert Arnold Dix</a></strong></p>

<p>The rescuers on Tuesday (Nov 28) pulled out all 41 workers who were trapped there for 17 days. The rescuers dug through the debris of rock and concrete after a series of setbacks.</p>

<p>The 4.5 km Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand state, about 400 km north of New Delhi, is part of ₹12,000 Crore ($1.43bn) Char Dham Highway Development Project, one of the flagship infrastructure programmes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration. The project has been branded as a way to ease travel to Hindu pilgrimage sites in the Uttarakhand state as well as all-weather connectivity for the movement of military equipment towards India's unresolved international boundary with a territorially assertive China.</p>

<p>On November 12, the Silkyara tunnel caved into itself, around 200 metres from the tunnel's entrance from one end. Most among the 41 workers who were trapped there hail from some of India's poorest districts.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


One of the 41 rescued workers who were trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel in the Himalayas for 17 days has spoken to the media. Vishwajeet Kumar Verma, who was trapped inside the tunnel on November 12, spoke to the news agency ANI and detailed the ordeal he faced along with the rest of the 40 workers.

One of the 41 rescued workers who were trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel in the Himalayas for 17 days has spoken to the media. Vishwajeet Kumar Verma, who was trapped inside the tunnel on November 12, spoke to the news agency ANI and detailed the ordeal he faced along with the rest of the 40 workers. "When the debris fell, we knew that we were stuck. For the first 10-15 hours we faced difficulty. But later, a pipe was put in to provide us with rice, dal and dry fruits," Kumar, who hails from eastern India's Jharkhand state, told news agency ANI. #WATCH | First exclusive byte of rescued worker, Vishwajeet Kumar Verma, who narrates his 17-day ordeal of being trapped in the Silkyara tunnel "When the debris fell, we knew that we were stuck. For the first 10-15 hours we faced difficulty. But later, a pipe was put in to… pic.twitter.com/65X4afMVvB — ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2023 × "Later on the tenth day, a mic was installed and I was able to talk to my family members...I am happy now, will celebrate Diwali now," Kumar said. Also read | Uttarakhand tunnel rescue is like the 'finest heart surgery' in Himalayas, says expert Arnold Dix The rescuers on Tuesday (Nov 28) pulled out all 41 workers who were trapped there for 17 days. The rescuers dug through the debris of rock and concrete after a series of setbacks. The 4.5 km Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand state, about 400 km north of New Delhi, is part of ₹12,000 Crore ($1.43bn) Char Dham Highway Development Project, one of the flagship infrastructure programmes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration. The project has been branded as a way to ease travel to Hindu pilgrimage sites in the Uttarakhand state as well as all-weather connectivity for the movement of military equipment towards India's unresolved international boundary with a territorially assertive China. On November 12, the Silkyara tunnel caved into itself, around 200 metres from the tunnel's entrance from one end. Most among the 41 workers who were trapped there hail from some of India's poorest districts. (With inputs from agencies)

Video: Rescued Uttarakhand tunnel worker describes 17-day ordeal in first reaction

When the U.S.-made auger machine failed to drill through the debris, Indian rescuers took matters into their own hands. The last stretch of the drilling was done manually via the rat-hole mining technique. In India's mission deliverance, men defeated machines.

Gravitas: Man defeats machines | Rat-hole mining saved trapped workers when machines failed

Rescuers in India have freed 41 workers who had been trapped in a collapsed Himalayan tunnel for 17 days. Miners drilled the final section by hand to reach the workers in the 4.5km (3-mile) tunnel in Uttarakhand.

Uttarakhand Tunnel collapse: 41 men rescued from India tunnel by "rat miners" after 17 days

<p>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi late on Tuesday (Nov 28) praised the rescue operation that safely evacuated all the 41 workers trapped inside an under-construction road tunnel in Uttarakhand, stating that those involved in the rescue efforts had set an example of humanity and teamwork.</p>

<p>He also spoke to the rescued workers over the phone and enquired about their well-being, said the officials.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Prime Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> speaks to the workers rescued from the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SilkyaraTunnel?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SilkyaraTunnel</a>.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UttarakhandTunnel?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UttarakhandTunnel</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UttarkashiRescue?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UttarkashiRescue</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UttarakhandTunnelRescue?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UttarakhandTunnelRescue</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UttarakhandRescue?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UttarakhandRescue</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PMOIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ianuragthakur?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ianuragthakur</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Murugan_MoS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Murugan_MoS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PIB_India?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PIB_India</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DDNewslive?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DDNewslive</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/airnewsalerts?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@airnewsalerts</a> <a href="https://t.co/wpvsckkEOz">pic.twitter.com/wpvsckkEOz</a></p>
— Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (@MIB_India) <a href="https://twitter.com/MIB_India/status/1729564946122612761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>All 41 men have been brought to the Community Health Centre in Chinyalisaur for primary medical treatment.</p>

<p>Their names are - Viswajit Kumar, Subodh Kumar, Rajendra Bedia, Sukram, Tinku Sardar, Gunodhar, Sameer, Ravindra, Ranjeet, Mahadev, Bhukttu Murmu, Jamra Oraon, Vijay Horo, Ganapati - all from Jharkhand, Gabbar Singh Negi, and Pushkar - both from Uttarakhand, Saba Ahmed, Sonu Sah, Virendra Kiskoo, and Sushil Kumar - all from Bihar, Manir Talukdar, Sevik Pakhera, and Jaydev Parmanik - all from West Bengal, Akhilesh Kumar, Ankit, Ram Milan, Satya Dev, Santosh, Jai Prakash, Ram Sundar, and Manjit - all from Uttar Pradesh, Tapan Mandal, Bhagwan Batra, Viseshar Naik, Raju Naik, and Dhiren - all from Odisha, Sanjay and Ram Prasad from Assam, and Vishal from Himachal Pradesh.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/uttarakhand-tunnel-rescue-rat-hole-miners-emerges-as-real-heroes-save-lives-with-outlawed-technique-663981">Rat-hole miners emerge as 'real heroes', save lives with outlawed technique</a></p>

<p>Reacting to the safe evacuation of the men, the Indian prime minister, took to his official X handle and said that the operation had made everyone emotional and that it had given a new lease of life to the labourers who were trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi for the last 17&nbsp;days.</p>

<p>"The success of the rescue operation of our labourer 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 are inspiring everyone. I wish you all well and good health," PM Modi said in a post on X.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">उत्तरकाशी में हमारे श्रमिक भाइयों के रेस्क्यू ऑपरेशन की सफलता हर किसी को भावुक कर देने वाली है।<br />
<br />
टनल में जो साथी फंसे हुए थे, उनसे मैं कहना चाहता हूं कि आपका साहस और धैर्य हर किसी को प्रेरित कर रहा है। मैं आप सभी की कुशलता और उत्तम स्वास्थ्य की कामना करता हूं।<br />
<br />
यह अत्यंत…</p>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1729521654584479876?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>"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," PM Modi added</p>

<p>Earlier in the day, PM Modi had dialled Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and gave his best wishes for the success of the operation.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi late on Tuesday (Nov 28) praised the rescue operation that safely evacuated all the 41 workers trapped inside an under-construction road tunnel in Uttarakhand, stating that those involved in the rescue efforts had set an example of humanity and teamwork.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi late on Tuesday (Nov 28) praised the rescue operation that safely evacuated all the 41 workers trapped inside an under-construction road tunnel in Uttarakhand, stating that those involved in the rescue efforts had set an example of humanity and teamwork. He also spoke to the rescued workers over the phone and enquired about their well-being, said the officials. Prime Minister @narendramodi speaks to the workers rescued from the #SilkyaraTunnel.#UttarakhandTunnel #UttarkashiRescue #UttarakhandTunnelRescue #UttarakhandRescue @PMOIndia @ianuragthakur @Murugan_MoS @PIB_India @DDNewslive @airnewsalerts pic.twitter.com/wpvsckkEOz — Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (@MIB_India) November 28, 2023 × All 41 men have been brought to the Community Health Centre in Chinyalisaur for primary medical treatment. Their names are - Viswajit Kumar, Subodh Kumar, Rajendra Bedia, Sukram, Tinku Sardar, Gunodhar, Sameer, Ravindra, Ranjeet, Mahadev, Bhukttu Murmu, Jamra Oraon, Vijay Horo, Ganapati - all from Jharkhand, Gabbar Singh Negi, and Pushkar - both from Uttarakhand, Saba Ahmed, Sonu Sah, Virendra Kiskoo, and Sushil Kumar - all from Bihar, Manir Talukdar, Sevik Pakhera, and Jaydev Parmanik - all from West Bengal, Akhilesh Kumar, Ankit, Ram Milan, Satya Dev, Santosh, Jai Prakash, Ram Sundar, and Manjit - all from Uttar Pradesh, Tapan Mandal, Bhagwan Batra, Viseshar Naik, Raju Naik, and Dhiren - all from Odisha, Sanjay and Ram Prasad from Assam, and Vishal from Himachal Pradesh. Also read: Rat-hole miners emerge as 'real heroes', save lives with outlawed technique Reacting to the safe evacuation of the men, the Indian prime minister, took to his official X handle and said that the operation had made everyone emotional and that it had given a new lease of life to the labourers who were trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi for the last 17 days. "The success of the rescue operation of our labourer 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 are inspiring everyone. I wish you all well and good health," PM Modi said in a post on X. उत्तरकाशी में हमारे श्रमिक भाइयों के रेस्क्यू ऑपरेशन की सफलता हर किसी को भावुक कर देने वाली है। टनल में जो साथी फंसे हुए थे, उनसे मैं कहना चाहता हूं कि आपका साहस और धैर्य हर किसी को प्रेरित कर रहा है। मैं आप सभी की कुशलता और उत्तम स्वास्थ्य की कामना करता हूं। यह अत्यंत… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 28, 2023 × "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," PM Modi added Earlier in the day, PM Modi had dialled Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and gave his best wishes for the success of the operation. (With inputs from agencies)

PM Modi speaks to workers rescued from Uttarakhand tunnel, enquires about their well-being

Uttarakhand Tunnel collapse: All 41 men trapped in Uttarakhand now free

<p>As 41 construction workers still remain trapped in the Sikyara tunnel in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, the rescuers are now preparing to&nbsp;use&nbsp;the 'rat-hole mining'&nbsp;technique in order to create an escape passage. Rat hole mining technique is often found to be employed in Meghalaya, the Northeast Indian state. In this technique, holes are drilled in order to mine coal in small quantities.</p>

<p>Trenchless Engineering Services Private Limited and Navayuga Engineers Private Limited have called more than 10 experts for the application of the rat-hole mining technique in a horizontal manner in the collapsed part.</p>

<p>"They will have to drill at least 10 to 12 metres with their own hands. They will mostly use two tools -- hand-held drilling machines to remove the rubble and gas cutters for cutting the iron hurdles," an official said as quoted by Business Standard.</p>

<p>In addition, the Indian Army has been involved in the rescue work.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Uttarakhand tunnel rescue: Manual drilling, multiple strategies for tunnel rescue</strong></p>

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<p>Just last week, as engineers tried to insert a metal pipe horizontally through the rock, it ran into metal girders. This snapped a huge earth-boring auger machine.</p>

<p>"The broken parts of the auger (drilling) machine stuck inside the tunnel have been removed," senior local civil servant Abhishek Ruhela told AFP on Monday. A superheated plasma cutter was used to remove the metal.</p>

<p>"Preparations are being made to start manual drilling work," he added. "Indian Army engineering battalion personnel, along with other rescue officers, are preparing to do rat-hole mining."</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-speaks-to-workers-rescued-from-uttarakhand-tunnel-enquiries-about-their-well-being-664069">PM Modi speaks to workers rescued from Uttarakhand tunnel, enquiries about their well-being</a></strong></p>

<p>Manual drilling would be a tough task as it will have to be done in a narrow pipe,&nbsp;just wide enough for a crawling man to pass.</p>

<p>"It depends on how the ground behaves," said Chris Cooper, a tunnel expert who is advising the rescuers. He said that they may have to cut through heavy-duty girders that had been meant to hold the collapsed roof up. "We are confident that we can overcome it".</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/uttarakhand-tunnel-rescue-big-success-says-cm-dhami-after-workers-rescued-663920">Uttarakhand tunnel rescue: PM Modi expresses joy after successful operation</a></strong></p>

<p>A separate effort of vertical drilling is being carried out to reach the men 89 metres below.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
"Vertical drilling is going on at a fast pace," with teams having reached 19 metres (63 feet) by late Sunday, said Mahmood Ahmed, a top official in the national roads ministry.</p>

<p>Work is ongoing at "full speed but with caution", he added.</p>

<p>The 41 construction workers&nbsp;have been stuck inside the tunnel since November 12. The rescue effort has been slow as several setbacks, like repeated breakdowns of drilling machines, have hampered the work.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


As 41 construction workers still remain trapped in the Sikyara tunnel in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, the rescuers are now preparing to use the 'rat-hole mining' technique in order to create an escape passage.

As 41 construction workers still remain trapped in the Sikyara tunnel in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, the rescuers are now preparing to use the 'rat-hole mining' technique in order to create an escape passage. Rat hole mining technique is often found to be employed in Meghalaya, the Northeast Indian state. In this technique, holes are drilled in order to mine coal in small quantities. Trenchless Engineering Services Private Limited and Navayuga Engineers Private Limited have called more than 10 experts for the application of the rat-hole mining technique in a horizontal manner in the collapsed part. "They will have to drill at least 10 to 12 metres with their own hands. They will mostly use two tools -- hand-held drilling machines to remove the rubble and gas cutters for cutting the iron hurdles," an official said as quoted by Business Standard. In addition, the Indian Army has been involved in the rescue work. Watch | Uttarakhand tunnel rescue: Manual drilling, multiple strategies for tunnel rescue × Just last week, as engineers tried to insert a metal pipe horizontally through the rock, it ran into metal girders. This snapped a huge earth-boring auger machine. "The broken parts of the auger (drilling) machine stuck inside the tunnel have been removed," senior local civil servant Abhishek Ruhela told AFP on Monday. A superheated plasma cutter was used to remove the metal. "Preparations are being made to start manual drilling work," he added. "Indian Army engineering battalion personnel, along with other rescue officers, are preparing to do rat-hole mining." Also Read | PM Modi speaks to workers rescued from Uttarakhand tunnel, enquiries about their well-being Manual drilling would be a tough task as it will have to be done in a narrow pipe, just wide enough for a crawling man to pass. "It depends on how the ground behaves," said Chris Cooper, a tunnel expert who is advising the rescuers. He said that they may have to cut through heavy-duty girders that had been meant to hold the collapsed roof up. "We are confident that we can overcome it". Also Read | Uttarakhand tunnel rescue: PM Modi expresses joy after successful operation A separate effort of vertical drilling is being carried out to reach the men 89 metres below. "Vertical drilling is going on at a fast pace," with teams having reached 19 metres (63 feet) by late Sunday, said Mahmood Ahmed, a top official in the national roads ministry. Work is ongoing at "full speed but with caution", he added. The 41 construction workers have been stuck inside the tunnel since November 12. The rescue effort has been slow as several setbacks, like repeated breakdowns of drilling machines, have hampered the work. (With inputs from agencies)

Uttarakhand tunnel rescue: 'Rat hole mining' technique to be employed to free workers

<p><strong>Uttarakhand tunnel rescue:&nbsp;</strong>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his joy soon after all workers trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel in India's northern state of Uttarakhand were rescued. PM Modi posted on X saying that the success of the rescue operation made everyone 'emotional'.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The PM added that the 'courage and patience' of workers who were trapped for all these days was inspirational. Modi lauded everyone who was part of the rescue effort.</p>

<p>"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.I also salute the spirit of all the people associated with this rescue operation. His 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," said the PM in his post, originally in Hindi.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">उत्तरकाशी में हमारे श्रमिक भाइयों के रेस्क्यू ऑपरेशन की सफलता हर किसी को भावुक कर देने वाली है।<br />
<br />
टनल में जो साथी फंसे हुए थे, उनसे मैं कहना चाहता हूं कि आपका साहस और धैर्य हर किसी को प्रेरित कर रहा है। मैं आप सभी की कुशलता और उत्तम स्वास्थ्य की कामना करता हूं।<br />
<br />
यह अत्यंत…</p>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1729521654584479876?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>PM Modi also spoke with the rescued workers via teleconferencing. India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting posted photos of the interaction on X.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Prime Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> speaks to the workers rescued from the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SilkyaraTunnel?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SilkyaraTunnel</a>.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UttarakhandTunnel?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UttarakhandTunnel</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UttarkashiRescue?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UttarkashiRescue</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UttarakhandTunnelRescue?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UttarakhandTunnelRescue</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UttarakhandRescue?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UttarakhandRescue</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PMOIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ianuragthakur?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ianuragthakur</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Murugan_MoS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Murugan_MoS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PIB_India?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PIB_India</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DDNewslive?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DDNewslive</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/airnewsalerts?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@airnewsalerts</a> <a href="https://t.co/wpvsckkEOz">pic.twitter.com/wpvsckkEOz</a></p>
— Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (@MIB_India) <a href="https://twitter.com/MIB_India/status/1729564946122612761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>The President of India Droupadi Murmu expressed her happiness on X as well.</p>

<p>"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," said the President.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">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…</p>
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) <a href="https://twitter.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1729521484241260838?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Chief Minister of Uttarakhand took to posting on X&nbsp;as construction workers stuck inside Silkyara tunnel began to be evacuated after being trapped inside for 17 days.</p>

<p>"We have begun bringing the workers out...," he said in a post on X (formerly Twitter)&nbsp;when eight of the workers were brought out of the tunnel.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">सिलक्यारा टनल में फंसे श्रमिक भाइयों को बाहर निकालने का कार्य प्रारंभ हो चुका है। अभी तक 8 श्रमिकों को रेस्क्यू कर लिया गया है।<br />
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सभी श्रमिकों का प्रारंभिक स्वास्थ्य परीक्षण टनल में बने अस्थाई मेडिकल कैंप में किया जा रहा है। <a href="https://t.co/GlkD36HKRD">pic.twitter.com/GlkD36HKRD</a></p>
— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) <a href="https://twitter.com/pushkardhami/status/1729512070075310248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>About an hour before the trapped workers began coming out, Dhami declared 'big success' in the operation.</p>

<p>"This is a victory clinched by courage, efforts and faith," Dhami said in another post made after all workers were rescued.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">धैर्य, परिश्रम एवं आस्था की हुई जीत। <a href="https://t.co/bF4hupYDMa">pic.twitter.com/bF4hupYDMa</a></p>
— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) <a href="https://twitter.com/pushkardhami/status/1729518842513399924?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has expressed happiness over the rescue of workers from the Silkyara tunnel.</p>

<p>"The safe return of the labor brothers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel of Uttarkashi is a very happy news. My heartiest congratulations to them and their families. The safety of our labor brothers who are building India is of paramount importance. I salute all the brave men who made this difficult campaign successful," he said on X in a post made in Hindi.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">उत्तरकाशी की सिलक्यारा सुरंग में फंसे श्रमिक भाइयों की सुरक्षित वापसी बहुत ही खुशी का समाचार है। उन्हें और उनके परिवारों को मेरी दिली बधाई।<br />
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भारत का निर्माण करने वाले हमारे मज़दूर भाइयों की सुरक्षा सर्वोपरि है। इस मुश्किल अभियान को सफल बनाने वाले सभी जांबाज़ों को मेरा सलाम है।…</p>
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1729535861132595611?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It is great news for the nation that all our 41 Shramik brothers trapped in a tunnel in Uttarkashi have been rescued safe and sound. Nation salutes their grit in facing such a challenging situation in the tunnel for so long. My heartfelt gratitude to all the people and the agencies that have made tireless efforts to save the lives of our fellow citizens," said Union Home Minister Amit Shah.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">It is great news for the nation that all our 41 Shramik brothers trapped in a tunnel in Uttarkashi have been rescued safe and sound.<br />
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Nation salutes their grit in facing such a challenging situation in the tunnel for so long.<br />
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My heartfelt gratitude to all the people and the…</p>
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmitShah/status/1729525108619039170?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his happiness as well.</p>

<p>"Congratulations to everyone and congratulations to the Government of Uttarakhand on the success of the rescue operation conducted under the guidance of respected Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji and under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri @pushkardhami ji to safely rescue all the workers trapped in the Silkyara Tunnel in Uttarakhand. Thank you to everyone who has made their invaluable contribution in saving the lives of labor brothers!" read the translation of his post in Hindi.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">उत्तराखण्ड स्थित सिलक्यारा टनल में फंसे सभी श्रमिकों को सकुशल बाहर निकालने हेतु आदरणीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> जी के मार्गदर्शन और मुख्यमंत्री श्री <a href="https://twitter.com/pushkardhami?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@pushkardhami</a> जी के नेतृत्व में संचालित रेस्क्यू ऑपरेशन की सफलता पर सभी को बधाई एवं उत्तराखण्ड सरकार का अभिनंदन!<br />
<br />
श्रमिक…</p>
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) <a href="https://twitter.com/myogiadityanath/status/1729523696564568113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Uttarakhand tunnel rescue: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his joy soon after all workers trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel in India's northern state of Uttarakhand were rescued.

Uttarakhand tunnel rescue: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his joy soon after all workers trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel in India's northern state of Uttarakhand were rescued. PM Modi posted on X saying that the success of the rescue operation made everyone 'emotional'. The PM added that the 'courage and patience' of workers who were trapped for all these days was inspirational. Modi lauded everyone who was part of the rescue effort. "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.I also salute the spirit of all the people associated with this rescue operation. His 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," said the PM in his post, originally in Hindi. उत्तरकाशी में हमारे श्रमिक भाइयों के रेस्क्यू ऑपरेशन की सफलता हर किसी को भावुक कर देने वाली है। टनल में जो साथी फंसे हुए थे, उनसे मैं कहना चाहता हूं कि आपका साहस और धैर्य हर किसी को प्रेरित कर रहा है। मैं आप सभी की कुशलता और उत्तम स्वास्थ्य की कामना करता हूं। यह अत्यंत… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 28, 2023 × PM Modi also spoke with the rescued workers via teleconferencing. India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting posted photos of the interaction on X. Prime Minister @narendramodi speaks to the workers rescued from the #SilkyaraTunnel.#UttarakhandTunnel #UttarkashiRescue #UttarakhandTunnelRescue #UttarakhandRescue @PMOIndia @ianuragthakur @Murugan_MoS @PIB_India @DDNewslive @airnewsalerts pic.twitter.com/wpvsckkEOz — Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (@MIB_India) November 28, 2023 × The President of India Droupadi Murmu expressed her happiness on X as well. "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," said the President. 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… — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) November 28, 2023 × Chief Minister of Uttarakhand took to posting on X as construction workers stuck inside Silkyara tunnel began to be evacuated after being trapped inside for 17 days. "We have begun bringing the workers out...," he said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) when eight of the workers were brought out of the tunnel. सिलक्यारा टनल में फंसे श्रमिक भाइयों को बाहर निकालने का कार्य प्रारंभ हो चुका है। अभी तक 8 श्रमिकों को रेस्क्यू कर लिया गया है। सभी श्रमिकों का प्रारंभिक स्वास्थ्य परीक्षण टनल में बने अस्थाई मेडिकल कैंप में किया जा रहा है। pic.twitter.com/GlkD36HKRD — Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) November 28, 2023 × About an hour before the trapped workers began coming out, Dhami declared 'big success' in the operation. "This is a victory clinched by courage, efforts and faith," Dhami said in another post made after all workers were rescued. धैर्य, परिश्रम एवं आस्था की हुई जीत। pic.twitter.com/bF4hupYDMa — Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) November 28, 2023 × Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has expressed happiness over the rescue of workers from the Silkyara tunnel. "The safe return of the labor brothers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel of Uttarkashi is a very happy news. My heartiest congratulations to them and their families. The safety of our labor brothers who are building India is of paramount importance. I salute all the brave men who made this difficult campaign successful," he said on X in a post made in Hindi. उत्तरकाशी की सिलक्यारा सुरंग में फंसे श्रमिक भाइयों की सुरक्षित वापसी बहुत ही खुशी का समाचार है। उन्हें और उनके परिवारों को मेरी दिली बधाई। भारत का निर्माण करने वाले हमारे मज़दूर भाइयों की सुरक्षा सर्वोपरि है। इस मुश्किल अभियान को सफल बनाने वाले सभी जांबाज़ों को मेरा सलाम है।… — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 28, 2023 × "It is great news for the nation that all our 41 Shramik brothers trapped in a tunnel in Uttarkashi have been rescued safe and sound. Nation salutes their grit in facing such a challenging situation in the tunnel for so long. My heartfelt gratitude to all the people and the agencies that have made tireless efforts to save the lives of our fellow citizens," said Union Home Minister Amit Shah. It is great news for the nation that all our 41 Shramik brothers trapped in a tunnel in Uttarkashi have been rescued safe and sound. Nation salutes their grit in facing such a challenging situation in the tunnel for so long. My heartfelt gratitude to all the people and the… — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 28, 2023 × Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his happiness as well. "Congratulations to everyone and congratulations to the Government of Uttarakhand on the success of the rescue operation conducted under the guidance of respected Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji and under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri @pushkardhami ji to safely rescue all the workers trapped in the Silkyara Tunnel in Uttarakhand. Thank you to everyone who has made their invaluable contribution in saving the lives of labor brothers!" read the translation of his post in Hindi. उत्तराखण्ड स्थित सिलक्यारा टनल में फंसे सभी श्रमिकों को सकुशल बाहर निकालने हेतु आदरणीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी के मार्गदर्शन और मुख्यमंत्री श्री @pushkardhami जी के नेतृत्व में संचालित रेस्क्यू ऑपरेशन की सफलता पर सभी को बधाई एवं उत्तराखण्ड सरकार का अभिनंदन! श्रमिक… — Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) November 28, 2023 ×

Uttarakhand tunnel rescue: PM Modi expresses joy after successful operation

Rescuers in India have freed 41 workers who were trapped in a collapsed Himalayan tunnel for 17 days. Miners drilled the final section by hand to reach the workers in the 4.5 km (3-mile) tunnel in Uttarakhand.

Uttarakhand tunnel rescue: PM Modi praises workers, says 'they showed great courage'

<p>The 400-hour Uttarakhand tunnel rescue operation in India ended with emotional tears and smiles, as the 41 workers – who were trapped in the Silkyara tunnel – emerged alive and safe from the dark hole.</p>

<p>But the first ones to greet these trapped but hopeful workers were the rat-hole miners who had been drilling for long with their hands with the aim of safely evacuating the trapped workers from the tunnel.</p>

<p>The miners only had smiles on their faces once the workers emerged and all their exhaustion from digging the tunnel was overpowered by their happiness.</p>

<p>"The workers were so happy seeing us. They hugged us and offered us almonds," said one of the miners, Devendra, while speaking to NDTV. "We cut 15 metres. We were very happy when we reached there and got a glimpse of them," said another miner.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/seven-of-41-workers-pulled-out-of-collapsed-uttarakhand-tunnel-all-to-be-evacuated-in-2-hours-663915">Uttarakhand tunnel rescue operation: After 17-day ordeal, all 41 workers evacuated safely</a></p>

<p>Expressing the happiness of success achieved in the rescue operation, one of the SDRF workers said to news agency ANI, "It is a big day for us today. All the workers have finally been rescued successfully. It was a very difficult operation. All the trapped workers are healthy and safe."</p>

<h2><strong>Rescuers resort to 'banned practice' of rat-hole mining</strong></h2>

<p>The banned practice of rat-hole mining was adopted by the rescuers after an imported, high-tech drilling machine stopped working in the last leg of the operation. Then, the miners started manually drilling their way towards the trapped workers.</p>

<p>"They worked very hard. We were convinced that we must rescue the trapped workers. This was once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us. They worked 24 hours non-stop to bring them out," the team leader said, as reported by NDTV.</p>

<p>Speaking about the role of the rat-hole miners, Uttarakhand Chief Minister in a press conference said, "Machines kept getting busted, but I want to thank the manual miners. I even met the workers who were trapped. They said they faced no problem inside the tunnel.”</p>

<p>When National Disaster Management Authority's Lt General Syed Ata Hasnain (Retired) was questioned regarding resorting to the illegal technique of rat-hole mining in a press conference, he said, "The rat-hole mining may be illegal but a rat-hole miner's talent and experience is being used.”</p>

<p>“This is a special situation where we have to save lives. They are technicians and we are using their skills and their capabilities to rescue the workers," another official added.</p>

<h2><strong>No tunnel is too difficult, says Anand Mahindra</strong></h2>

<p>As the rescue operation emerged successful, Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra took to X to appreciate the workers and said that they had reminded everyone "that no tunnel is too difficult to emerge from".</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Uttarakhand tunnel collapse: All workers safe, rescue team conducting mock drills says NDRF&nbsp;</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uttarakhand-tunnel-collapse-all-workers-safe-rescue-team-conducting-mock-drills-says-ndrf-wion-663927/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>"It's time for gratitude. Thank you to EVERY single person who worked tirelessly over the past 17 days to save these 41 precious lives. More than any sporting victory could have, you have uplifted the spirits of a country &amp; united us in our hope. You've reminded us that no tunnel is too difficult to emerge from, no task is impossible when our actions &amp; prayers are collaborative &amp; collective. #Uttarakhand," he wrote on the microblogging platform.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">It’s time for gratitude. Thank you to EVERY single person who worked tirelessly over the past 17 days to save these 41 precious lives. More than any sporting victory could have, you have uplifted the spirits of a country &amp; united us in our hope. You’ve reminded us that no tunnel… <a href="https://t.co/ZSTRZAAJOl">https://t.co/ZSTRZAAJOl</a></p>
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) <a href="https://twitter.com/anandmahindra/status/1729513285676851509?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>After 17 days of the rescue operation, the 41 workers were evacuated from the Silkyara tunnel in the Uttarkashi district of India's Uttarakhand, which had collapsed on November 12.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


The 400-hour Uttarakhand tunnel rescue operation in India ended with emotional tears and smiles, as the 41 workers – who were trapped in the Silkyara tunnel – emerged alive and safe from the dark hole.

The 400-hour Uttarakhand tunnel rescue operation in India ended with emotional tears and smiles, as the 41 workers – who were trapped in the Silkyara tunnel – emerged alive and safe from the dark hole. But the first ones to greet these trapped but hopeful workers were the rat-hole miners who had been drilling for long with their hands with the aim of safely evacuating the trapped workers from the tunnel. The miners only had smiles on their faces once the workers emerged and all their exhaustion from digging the tunnel was overpowered by their happiness. "The workers were so happy seeing us. They hugged us and offered us almonds," said one of the miners, Devendra, while speaking to NDTV. "We cut 15 metres. We were very happy when we reached there and got a glimpse of them," said another miner. Also read: Uttarakhand tunnel rescue operation: After 17-day ordeal, all 41 workers evacuated safely Expressing the happiness of success achieved in the rescue operation, one of the SDRF workers said to news agency ANI, "It is a big day for us today. All the workers have finally been rescued successfully. It was a very difficult operation. All the trapped workers are healthy and safe." Rescuers resort to 'banned practice' of rat-hole mining The banned practice of rat-hole mining was adopted by the rescuers after an imported, high-tech drilling machine stopped working in the last leg of the operation. Then, the miners started manually drilling their way towards the trapped workers. "They worked very hard. We were convinced that we must rescue the trapped workers. This was once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us. They worked 24 hours non-stop to bring them out," the team leader said, as reported by NDTV. Speaking about the role of the rat-hole miners, Uttarakhand Chief Minister in a press conference said, "Machines kept getting busted, but I want to thank the manual miners. I even met the workers who were trapped. They said they faced no problem inside the tunnel.” When National Disaster Management Authority's Lt General Syed Ata Hasnain (Retired) was questioned regarding resorting to the illegal technique of rat-hole mining in a press conference, he said, "The rat-hole mining may be illegal but a rat-hole miner's talent and experience is being used.” “This is a special situation where we have to save lives. They are technicians and we are using their skills and their capabilities to rescue the workers," another official added. No tunnel is too difficult, says Anand Mahindra As the rescue operation emerged successful, Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra took to X to appreciate the workers and said that they had reminded everyone "that no tunnel is too difficult to emerge from". Watch: Uttarakhand tunnel collapse: All workers safe, rescue team conducting mock drills says NDRF "It's time for gratitude. Thank you to EVERY single person who worked tirelessly over the past 17 days to save these 41 precious lives. More than any sporting victory could have, you have uplifted the spirits of a country & united us in our hope. You've reminded us that no tunnel is too difficult to emerge from, no task is impossible when our actions & prayers are collaborative & collective. #Uttarakhand," he wrote on the microblogging platform. It’s time for gratitude. Thank you to EVERY single person who worked tirelessly over the past 17 days to save these 41 precious lives. More than any sporting victory could have, you have uplifted the spirits of a country & united us in our hope. You’ve reminded us that no tunnel… https://t.co/ZSTRZAAJOl — anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) November 28, 2023 × After 17 days of the rescue operation, the 41 workers were evacuated from the Silkyara tunnel in the Uttarkashi district of India's Uttarakhand, which had collapsed on November 12. (With inputs from agencies)

Uttarakhand tunnel rescue: Rat-hole miners emerge as 'real heroes', save lives with outlawed technique

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