Bhubaneswar, Dec 1: Four Odia workers, who were saved from an under-construction tunnel in Uttarakhand after a grueling 17-day ordeal, have returned to their home state today.

Arriving in Bhubaneswar via a special flight from New Delhi, the survivors were greeted by Odisha Labour Minister Sarada Prasad Nayak and various labor organizations at the Biju Patnaik International Airport.

Minister Sarada Nayak expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and 5T Chairman VK Pandian for their swift actions in rescuing the stranded Odia workers in Uttarakhand. The challenging rescue operation concluded successfully, ensuring the safe return of the victims.

Among the 41 individuals trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi district on November 12, five hailed from Odisha — Dhiren Nayak from Badakudar, Bisweswar Nayak from Jogibandh in Mayurbhanj, Raju Nayak from Kuldiha in Balasore, Bhagaban Bhotra from Nabarangpur, and Tapan Mandal from Bhadrak district.

They were extricated on November 28 after an extensive and demanding operation that involved the Indian Army, NDRF, SDRF, and various other specialized agencies and experts accustomed to handling such crises.

Regrettably, only four of the workers, barring Tapan Mandal, returned to their home state. Tapan reportedly chose to stay in Uttarakhand with a relative following his rescue.

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