Four out of five Odia labourers who were rescued from Uttarkashi Tunnel reached Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar on Friday and were accorded a grand welcome.
Raju Nayak, Dhiren Nayak, Biseswar Nayak and Bhagwan Bhatra have returned today while Tapan Mandal is expected to arrive soon.
All the 41 labourers including the Odia labourers were discharged from All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) Rishikesh on Thursday after being rescued from the tunnel.
The labourers are likely to go to their native places to meet their family.
“Due to the blessings of Lord Jagannath, our labourers have returned home safely. Our department has some special arrangements for the labourers. It was a concerning and a big challenge for us, but our Odia sons showed bravery. In spite of the hurdles in the rescue operations, they have come home safely,” said Sarada Prasad Nayak, Odisha Labour Minister.
After arriving at the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar, the labourers went straight to Naveen Niwas where Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik met them and enquired about their health conditions and expressed his happiness for their safe return.
The CM also announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each for the four labourers.
It is to be noted that the Silkyara tunnel had collapsed on November 12, trapping 41 labourers in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand.
Rescue operations were immediately launched by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the labourers were rescued after 17 days.