After 2023 setback, Silkyara tunnel breakthrough achieved

Uttarkashi’s Silkyara tunnel, which made news in November 2023 after a massive collapse followed by a dramatic rescue of all 41 trapped labourers, marked a major breakthrough on Wednesday. The breakthrough involved meeting of the two ends of the tunnel with both sides excavated successfully.

On November 12, 2023, a part of the tunnel, a flagship project under the Char Dham Mahamarg plan, caved in trapping all 41 labourers inside. A daring multi-agency operation over 17 days led to the rescue of workers with the help of rat-hole miners.

Accompanied by CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, Union Minister Vaishnaw went 3.5-km inside the tunnel when a boring machine from the other side broke through the last layer of rock.

CM Dhami remembered the 2023 collapse and that he had pledged to build a temple to Baba Bauk Nag temple. “Today, we concluded the consecration ceremony for the temple,” Dhami said.

Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari hailed the historic breakthrough and said, “Today marks a historic milestone with the successful breakthrough of Uttarakhand’s 4.531-km Silkyara tunnel, an engineering marvel. This transformative tunnel will save one hour of travel time, ensure seamless Gangotri–Yamunotri connectivity and provide all-weather access for pilgrims.”