41 workers rescued from Uttarkashi tunnel fit to return home: AIIMS-Rishikesh

The 41 workers who were evacuated from the collapsed Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand after being trapped beneath the debris for 17 days are fit to return home as their health condition is normal, said AIIMS-Rishikesh on Thursday.

The hospital administration said that their treatment was going well and they were planning to discharge them today itself.

Dr Ravikant said the workers were thoroughly examined and their blood test, X-ray, and ECG reports were normal.

"They are physically normal and clinically stable. We have given them clearance to return home," he said.

The workers have been advised to go to the nearest hospital after two weeks for a check-up.

The administration added that nodal officers of respective states were in contact with them and once the ticket is booked for the workers, they will be discharged.

They said, “Workers from Jharkhand and Odisha will be discharged today itself as nodal officers of these 2 states have coordinated with us. Some of the rescued workers from UP could be taken by ambulances.”

Bihar labour department official, Saurabh Suman, said that all 5 workers from Bihar would go to Delhi by road today itself.

He said,” All the 5 workers from Bihar will go to Delhi first by road today only. Tomorrow at 6 am, they will be taking a flight from Delhi to Patna. There are 14 members, including workers’ relatives, who will be travelling.”

An official from Navayuga company, which was constructing the tunnel, said that they were providing a kit, including a shirt, trousers, jacket, shoes, and other items, to each worker.

The firm has also provided Rs 2 lakh to each of the rescued labourers. They have also announced a two-months bonus for all workers.

The labourers were rescued from the collapsed tunnel on Tuesday night after a long-drawn operation of 17 days. The Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi collapsed on November 12 trapping 41 workers.