Excelsior Correspondent
UTTARAKHAND, Apr 16: Pushkar Singh Dhami, the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, attended the breakthrough ceremony of the Silkyara Tunnel today , marking a major milestone in the ambitious infrastructure project.
The tunnel, part of the Rs 853 crore project, is set to reduce the distance between Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham by 26 kilometers.
This development is expected to provide better facilities for pilgrims, improve travel efficiency, and contribute to the region’s economic growth by boosting trade, tourism, and employment opportunities.
The Silkyara Tunnel, with a total length of 4.531 km, is a double-lane tunnel that is poised to play a vital role in the Char Dham Yatra.
However, the project’s journey has not been without challenges.
In 2023, 41 workers were trapped inside the tunnel for 17 days due to a landslide.
A complex and large-scale rescue operation was launched under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and led by Chief Minister Dhami.
The rescue mission, hailed as one of the longest and most complicated in the world, successfully freed all the trapped workers. The successful operation demonstrated the importance of teamwork, technical expertise, and the resilience of all involved.
During the ceremony, the Chief Minister praised the engineers, workers, and experts who contributed to the project.
He emphasized that the breakthrough was not only a testament to modern engineering but also a reflection of faith and dedication.
He expressed deep gratitude to the entire rescue team, including NDRF, SDRF, rat miners, and all other agencies that played a crucial role in the operation.
In addition to the Silkyara Tunnel achievement, Chief Minister Dhami participated in the consecration (pran-pratishtha) ceremony of the Baba Boukhnag Temple, fulfilling a vow he made during the rescue operation.
At that time, he had promised to build the temple dedicated to Baba Boukhnag, who was seen as a symbol of hope and strength during the rescue mission.
He also announced that the Silkyara Tunnel would be named after Baba Boukhnag in recognition of the divine support believed to have aided the success of the mission.
The Chief Minister also made several important announcements during the event.
These included the upgrading of the Primary Health Centre at Genwala–Brahmkhal to a Community Health Centre, the development of Boukhnag Tibba as a tourist destination, and the construction of a helipad near Syalna to further improve accessibility.
The event was attended by various dignitaries, including Union Minister of State Ajay Tamta, MLAs Suresh Chauhan, Durgeshwar Lal, and Sanjay Dobhal, as well as NHAI MD Dr Krishna Kumar and other public representatives and officials.
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