Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand): In a symbolic and emotional gesture, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that the Silkyara Tunnel will be named after Baba Boukhnag, the local deity believed to have blessed the successful rescue operation in 2023.
Speaking at the breakthrough ceremony of the Silkyara Tunnel on Wednesday, CM Dhami said,
“The Silkyara Tunnel will be named after Baba Boukhnag. The Primary Health Centre at Genwala-Brahmkhal will be upgraded to a Community Health Centre, and Boukhnag Tibba will be developed as a tourist destination. A helipad near Syalna will also be constructed.”
The Silkyara Tunnel made headlines in November 2023, when 41 workers were trapped inside for 17 harrowing days due to a landslide during its construction. The complex rescue mission, led under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CM Dhami, was hailed as one of the longest and most difficult tunnel rescues in the world.
“The rescue was a true test of human and technical resilience. Every individual involved showed extraordinary teamwork and compassion,”
the Chief Minister said.
The 4.531-km-long double-lane tunnel, built at an approximate cost of ₹853 crore, is a crucial component of the Char Dham All Weather Road Project. Once completed, it will reduce the distance between Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham by 26 kilometers, improving access for pilgrims and boosting regional tourism, trade, and employment.
CM Dhami also participated in the pran-pratishtha (consecration) of the Baba Boukhnag Temple, fulfilling a vow made during the 2023 rescue mission. He brought offerings and puja materials from his residence in Dehradun and praised the spiritual strength that kept hope alive:
“When Baba Boukhnag was enshrined at the tunnel entrance, the rescue operation picked up pace. That divine presence gave us hope when all seemed lost.”
He also thanked the rescue team, NDRF, SDRF, rat miners, and all supporting agencies for their role in the successful mission. Special mention was made of the courage and patience shown by the trapped workers, who inspired the nation.
Reflecting on the November 12 tragedy, Dhami added:
“In that dark tunnel, where even hope struggled to survive, Baba Boukhnag became a beacon of strength and faith. Today’s ceremony is not only a celebration of an engineering breakthrough but also a tribute to divine guidance and human perseverance.”