A glimmer of hope shines through the snowy peaks of Uttarakhand as construction work resumes at the Silkyara tunnel after a two-month hiatus. Following the devastating cave-in last November, the tragedy that gripped the nation is slowly giving way to the resolute spirit of rebuilding.
On the instructions of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, protective measures are being implemented from both Barkot and Silkyara ends of the tunnel. Shuttering has begun for a central wall within the tunnel, while work on an under-construction bridge at the Silkyara entrance has also picked up pace.
Colonel Deepak Patil, Project Manager of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), assures a gradual rise in activity, reaching full swing within 15 days. His recent inspection confirms the initial focus on securing the sensitive 100-meter stretch between the landslide site and the Silkyara entrance. Workers will utilize the previously created escape passage for safe entry and begin the crucial dewatering process.
Beyond the physical progress, the resumption of work signifies a much-needed revival for the surrounding community. Hotels, dhabas, and grocery shops that witnessed a sharp decline in business since the accident are now experiencing a renewed sense of optimism.
Villagers express their joy at the tunnel’s revival, a sentiment echoed by the rescued laborers themselves. Many who had returned home are gradually making their way back to the site, eager to resume their roles in this national project. Kiran Jayada, a local shopkeeper, recounts her emotional rollercoaster, from receiving Diwali sweets from a soon-to-be-trapped laborer to the agonizing wait for his rescue. Her daily prayers to Baba Boukhnag, the revered local deity, finally bore fruit, and now, she eagerly awaits his return to work.
The Silkyara tunnel project, once marred by tragedy, now stands as a symbol of resilience and hope. The dedication of the workers, the unwavering support of the community, and the unwavering focus on safety paint a picture of a nation determined to not only rebuild but build better. As work progresses, inch by inch, the tunnel becomes not just a passageway, but a testament to the human spirit’s ability to overcome even the most formidable challenges.
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