All the 41 laborers trapped in the Uttarkashi Tunnel have come out of the tunnel, but a question remains in the minds of people that how did the laborers spend every moment of their lives there for 17 days? These 17 days were like 17 years for the workers. When all the workers came out, everyone had a story they wanted to tell. With happiness on his face and a desire to say something, he was meeting the people present at the tunnel. One of these laborers was Manjeet, resident of Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh. Manjeet has left Uttarakhand and is coming to Lakhimpur Kheri. In a phone conversation with TV9 Digital, Manjeet narrated the story of those 17 days inside the tunnel…
Manjeet told that his duty shift was from 8 pm to 8 am. Every day we used to go for our duty and return on time. Even on the night of 11th November, 41 of us went to work in the tunnel. Worked all night. The shift was about to end in a few hours, because Diwali was on 12th November, so there was a different kind of excitement in the mind. I just thought that I would quickly go to my room and wish Diwali to my family and burn crackers at night.
There was a loud sound and the tunnel collapsed
Meanwhile, around 4 o’clock in the morning suddenly a loud sound came and the tunnel caved in. We could not understand what happened? When we ran towards the exit, we saw that a cloud of dust was rising. There was a lot of debris. Not even a sound could be heard from outside. Appealed for help from inside and screamed but got no response. After this we all became frightened. Felt as if he was standing on the verge of death, but was alive.
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Manjeet told that we had lost contact with the outside team. We were not able to understand anything. There was a strange nervousness among the companions. He felt that he would not be able to go out now. Our officers, who worked together for some time, said don’t worry, we will definitely get out of here. First of all the officials counted how many people were trapped in the tunnel, so that it could be informed if any help comes from outside. Total 41 people were counted.
Manjeet, resident of Lakhimpur Kheri, was also trapped inside the tunnel.
4 inch pipe delivered the message
Manjeet told that there was food inside for two-four days, but due to worry he did not eat or drink anything for a day or two. The only thought that was in our minds was to somehow convey the message that we were stuck inside. Manjeet told that we searched for a pipe inside the tunnel, which went to the outside. Water was often supplied through that pipe, but it was filled with debris. Using his brain, Gabbar Singh Negi drew water from the pump and started throwing it out through a 4-inch pipe.
How did you contact the rescue team?
After some time, the debris came out and we got in touch with the rescue team standing outside. The rescue team came to know that some workers were trapped inside. He immediately sent a walkie-talkie, through which we talked to the rescue team. Inquiring about our well-being, he assured that we will get him out soon. For some time, gram, biscuits and dry fruits were sent through pipes. After we contacted the rescue team, we got a lot of courage that the work is going on war footing to get us out. We were getting oxygen through this four-inch pipe.
passed time by playing ludo
When Manjeet was asked how he used to spend his time inside, Manjeet told that we were from different states, but we became friends due to work. Our friendship became better in these 17 days. We used to talk about family. They used to encourage each other. We also played Ludo, which passed our time well. It was good that the electricity never went off in the tunnel, otherwise the problem would have increased.
When he came out of the tunnel, he hugged his father and cried.
Manjeet tells that when he came out of the tunnel on the 17th day, he found his father standing outside. When the father hugged me, tears came out. Father also started crying. Manjeet told that he is the only son in the family. One brother has died. When he too got trapped there, the family was very scared. Manjeet said that we do not have farming. One has to go out to earn money to meet household expenses. After staying at home for a few days, he will return to the mountains.
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