PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Uttarkashi The Silkyara-Paulgaon tunnel will be formally broken through on January 16. Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and a minister from the Centre will inaugurate the tunnel. Uttarkashi district magistarate Meharban Singh Bisht conducted an inspection of the site on Sunday and issued necessary instructions to the officials concerned. He said that the breakthrough of this tunnel will be a historic event. Bisht said that CM Dhami and a minister representing the Union government will be present here to mark the breakthrough. The DM said that the completion of this tunnel will not only improve the traffic flow on this route but will also boost tourism, business and economic development. A grand programme will be held to mark the formal breakthrough of the tunnel. The DM also checked the temporary helipad set up in Syalna village and issued necessary directions to the officials regarding further preparations. It will be recalled that on November 12, 2023, a section of the tunnel collapsed between 205 and 260 metres from the Silkyara side. Forty-one workers, who were on the other side of the collapsed section, found themselves trapped with their only exit blocked. A 17-day operation was carried out by the authorities, culminating in a successful rescue operation. In a 17-day rescue operation, 41 workers trapped in the collapsed Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand were successfully rescued. This effort, marked by perseverance and inputs from foreign experts, was hailed as one of India’s most triumphant rescue missions. It stands as a testament to human resilience, innovation, and the unwavering commitment to saving lives. As the State prepares to inaugurate the tunnel, all eyes are on the government at a time when past experiences and the continuing concern about the balance between environmental conservation and development are being debated.