Gadkari honours Silkyara Rat Miners for extraordinary rescue operation

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday conferred the Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padakon 12 rat miners in recognition of their exceptional courage and selfless service during the Silkyara Tunnel rescue operation in Uttarakhand, where they played a crucial role in saving 41 trapped workers following the tunnel collapse.
According to agency reports, the investiture ceremony, held in New Delhi, was attended by Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Harsh Malhotra, senior officials of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the Secretary of MoRTH, the Managing Director of the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), and other dignitaries.
Addressing the gathering, Gadkari described the Silkyara tunnel collapse as one of the most challenging rescue operations undertaken in recent years, noting that the incident had generated widespread concern across the country. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi closely monitored the rescue mission and ensured that every possible resource was mobilised to facilitate the safe evacuation of the trapped workers.Gadkari highlighted the coordinated efforts of multiple agencies, including MoRTH, NHIDCL, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), the Indian Army, the Uttarakhand Government and technical experts from across the country, who worked together to execute the complex rescue mission. Various engineering solutions, including vertical drilling and other technical interventions, were explored during the operation.
Gadkari said a major breakthrough came with the successful insertion of a pipeline into the collapsed section of the tunnel, enabling food, water, medicines and other essential supplies to reach the workers trapped inside.He said the most critical phase of the rescue was completed through the extraordinary efforts of the rat miners, who voluntarily entered the narrow and hazardous passage to manually clear the remaining debris, making the safe rescue of all the trapped workers possible.
Congratulating the awardees, Gadkari said the Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak was a fitting recognition of their extraordinary bravery and dedication to saving lives. He added that risking one's own life to protect others reflected the highest ideals of courage, humanity and public service, and said their actions would continue to inspire future generations.The Minister also acknowledged the collective contribution of all agencies and personnel involved in the successful rescue operation.
During the ceremony, each awardee received the Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak, a certificate and a miniature medal. The recipients were also presented with a lump-sum monetary award of Rs2 lakh each, which was disbursed through online mode.The awardees are Vaqeel Hasan, Munna, Ankur Kumar, Monu Kumar, Devendra, Mohd Rashid, Firoz Qureshi, Jatin Kashyap, Shorabh Kashyap, Mohd Irshad, Nasruddin and Naseem, whose courage and determination proved instrumental in one of India's most remarkable rescue operations.