Silkyara Rescue Legacy Lives On: Uttarakhand Declares November 28 As Disaster Resilience Day

Last Updated:July 13, 2026, 18:54 IST

CM Dhami described the Silkyara operation as "a living example of human resilience, technological excellence and coordinated disaster management"

Seeking to preserve the legacy of the 2023 Silkyara tunnel rescue, the Uttarakhand government on Monday announced that November 28 will be observed every year as Disaster Resilience and Management Day, commemorating the successful rescue of 41 workers trapped inside the under-construction tunnel in Uttarkashi.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami made the announcement while unveiling the state’s Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP) at the Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UCOST) campus in Dehradun.

Describing the Silkyara operation as “a living example of human resilience, technological excellence and coordinated disaster management", Dhami said the annual observance would honour the determination, innovation and teamwork that ensured all 41 workers were brought out safely after 17 days.

WHAT HAPPENED IN 2023?

The workers became trapped on November 12, 2023, when a landslide triggered the collapse of a nearly 60-metre section of the under-construction Silkyara tunnel on the day of Diwali. The rescue effort soon evolved into a massive multi-agency operation involving experts from India and abroad, specialised drilling equipment and round-the-clock technical interventions. Although heavy machinery, including an American auger drilling machine, was deployed, repeated mechanical setbacks forced rescue teams to modify their strategy.

The breakthrough came on November 28, when a team of rat-hole miners manually excavated the remaining stretch of debris, creating a narrow passage through which all 41 workers were evacuated safely after spending 17 days inside the collapsed tunnel.

The Silkyara operation has since come to be regarded as a landmark in India’s disaster-response history for its engineering ingenuity, coordinated execution and successful outcome despite formidable technical challenges.

WHAT CM SAID

Speaking at the event, Dhami said Uttarakhand had long needed a comprehensive Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, describing the newly approved framework as a “game changer" for the state’s future.

According to the Chief Minister, the policy places special emphasis on developing technology-driven solutions for disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and environmental conservation, while strengthening Uttarakhand’s preparedness for natural disasters.

Prof. Durgesh Pant, Director General of UCOST, said the policy envisages wider use of advanced computing in governance, public healthcare, agriculture and employment generation. It also seeks to connect grassroots innovators and indigenous knowledge systems with mainstream scientific research to promote inclusive innovation.

UCOST has been designated as the nodal agency for implementing the Science, Technology and Innovation Policy.

About the Author

Anupam Trivedi

Anupam Trivedi, Uttarakhand Editor, at News18, tracks politics, government affairs, environment and developmental issues concerning the Himalayan state. Being in the profession for two decades, he has...Read More

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