Uttarkashi: Gabar Singh Negi, one of the 41 workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel collapse on November 12 last year, and hailed as a hero for his calm demeanor during the crisis, went missing on Sunday while attempting to reach the Baba Baukhnag temple. Disoriented, he lost his way in a dense forest.
Negi, who gained national attention for maintaining the morale of his fellow workers during the rescue operation, was found after being missing for 24 hours. During this ordeal, he endured freezing temperatures and snowfall before being rescued by the SDRF team on Monday evening.
He had a strong desire to visit the Baba Baukhnag temple
Gabbar Singh Negi was found safe in the ‘Radi Top’ forest near the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi. On Monday evening, around 7 PM, he reached his residence in Lal Pani with the team from Navayug Company. Gabbar Singh shared that on Sunday evening, he had a strong desire to visit the Baba Baukhnag temple, located about five kilometers away from Silkyara tunnel. He set out on this journey but lost his way in the forest.
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Rescued by SDRF team
He spent the entire night in the jungle before being rescued by the SDRF team the following day. While explaining his ordeal, Gabbar Singh mentioned that he had wandered through the forest, facing difficulties, but ultimately his faith in the deity guided him back safely. The SDRF team located him in a disoriented state. “He seemed lost and wasn’t able to explain about losing his path in the forest” said Rajesh Kumar, head constable, SDRF. After being rescued from the dense forest, Negi was dropped by the Navayuga company at his residence in Kotdwar.
Negi rejoined Navayuga company after the incident
Following the Silkyara incident, Negi took a break to recover from the trauma of the 17-day-long fear and uncertainty during the rescue operation. In June this year, he rejoined Navayuga, the construction company responsible for the Silkyara tunnel project. When he failed to report for duty on Sunday morning, his colleagues initiated a search for him.
Praised by PM Narendra Modi for his leadership quality
This 53-year-old foreman demonstrated remarkable composure and calmness during the crisis. He played a crucial role in boosting the morale of his co-workers when rescue efforts following the tunnel collapse were proving difficult. His leadership qualities and resilience, particularly when he chose to be the last one pulled out, earned him praise from PM Modi.
