The Uttarakhand High Court has directed the state government to apprise it about the steps taken to rescue the 41 workers, who were trapped inside the Silkaya tunnel in Uttarkashi district following a landslide on November 12.
Expressing satisfaction over the steps taken by the state government during the last 48 hours to rescue the workers, the Bench of Acting Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Tiwari and Justice Pankaj Purohit on Thursday directed the State to inform the Court about further progress in the rescue operation.
As many as 41 workers were trapped after portions of the Silkyara-Dandalgaon under-construction tunnel on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri Highway collapsed on the morning of Diwali, at around 5:30 am.
The High Court passed the order on a public interest litigation (PIL) petition filed by non-governmental organisation (NGO) Samadhan.
The petition contended that the workers have been trapped inside the tunnel since November 12 but the government has faced challenges in rescuing them. It alleged that the government and the executive body were playing with the lives of trapped persons.
Earlier on November 21, the High Court had issued notice to both the state government and the Central government.
On November 22, the Counsel for the State apprised the Court that food items, medicines and drinking water have been supplied to the persons trapped inside the tunnel and a walkie-talkie set has also been provided to them, so that they can communicate with family members and other members of the rescue team.
He further assured that no stone would be left unturned in their rescue and they would be rescued as soon as possible. Noting the submissions made by the Counsel, the High Court listed the case for further hearing on December 1.
The petitioners were represented by Advocates Prabha Naithani and Avidit Noliyal, while Advocates CS Rawat, Ghanshyam Joshi, VK Kaparuwan and Naresh Pant appeared for the respondents.