Uttarkashi, November 29: Following the successful evacuation of all 41 workers stranded inside Uttarakhand’s Silkyara tunnel for 17 days, international tunnelling expert Arnold Dix emphasized on Wednesday that despite numerous challenges in the rescue operation, the collective determination to save the 41 individuals outweighed all obstacles.
Addressing the challenges faced during the rescue, Dix stated, “I think it would be better to say, what kind of challenges didn’t we face? And what we didn’t face was a combined sense of purpose to save the 41 people. That’s the challenge we didn’t face. We don’t have that in many places. Everyone knew we were bringing those men home.”
Discussing the key to the operation’s success, the international tunnelling expert highlighted the team’s composure and clarity of objectives. “We worked as a wonderful team. And when I say a wonderful team, the best engineers here in India, the army, their engineers, the best I’ve ever worked with, all the agencies, the federal authority, the state, all the people, it was just a joy. A joy to be a part of this successful mission,” he said.
Reflecting on his visit to a temple after the rescue, Dix mentioned making a promise to express gratitude for the safe evacuation of the trapped workers, referring to the operation as a “miracle.”
Responding to the Australian Prime Minister’s congratulations, Dix expressed appreciation and humorously noted, “Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister. But as an Australian, sir, if you’re watching, it’s been my privilege and my pleasure to show that we’re fantastic at not just cricket, I love cricket, but we do other things as well, including tunnel rescue.”
Dix highlighted the uniqueness of this rescue operation, emphasizing that no one was injured, a departure from the norm in such operations. “It’s pretty different. This was just fantastic,” he remarked.
Expressing his fondness for India, the international tunnelling expert praised Northern Indian vegetarian food, stating, “The Northern Indian vegetarian food is so yummy, I reckon I could go to Northern India. Your food is fantastic. I can’t cook like that in Australia. The best vegetarian food ever,” Dix said.
All 41 workers, trapped since November 12 in Uttarakhand’s Silkyari tunnel due to a collapse between 205 and 260 meters from the Silkyara side, were safely evacuated on Tuesday evening. The rescued workers, greeted by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Union Minister VK Singh, were draped in orange marigold flower garlands. CM Dhami announced a financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh for each worker trapped in the Silkyara tunnel.
