Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari made an on-site inspection at the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand where operation is ongoing to rescue 41 workers who have been trapped inside for the past seven days. Speaking to media at the site, Gadkari said that two auger drilling machines were at work and several more had arrived at the site and if the machines work properly, the workers will be reached within 2 – 2.5 days.

He assured that Uttarakhand Government and the Central Government are doing everything possible to extract the trapped workers which is their priority. While acknowledged the challenging strata of the Himalayan terrain, the Union Minister also informed that they were working on six options to get to 41 workers in Silkyara tunnel.

Gadkari and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami conducted a review meeting with agencies and experts involved in the rescue operation.

Earlier, Anurag Jain, Secretary, Ministry of Road and Transport, informed that a 4-inch pipeline had been installed in the Silkyara tunnel through which dry fruits were being delivered. He also said that essential medicines including Vitamin B, Vitamin C and antidepressants were also being sent as per the suggestion of doctors. There is electricity and water in the 2 km space where the workers are, he added.