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In a harrowing incident, a group of 41 men from various states, including Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Assam, and Himachal Pradesh, found themselves trapped inside the Uttarkashi tunnel. Despite their diverse origins, they shared a common purpose – the pursuit of livelihood opportunities.
These men were employed in two distinct salary brackets: skilled workers, pump operators, or drillers earning Rs 24,000, and unskilled laborers or helpers earning Rs 18,000. Their workdays were grueling, consisting of 12-hour shifts, seven days a week, with the provision for only two days of leave in a month.
Among those trapped were Sonu Sah from Khajuan in Bihar and Birendra Kisku from Jaypur Tetaria village in Banka district, Bihar, who worked as a poclain driver. Concerned for their loved ones' well-being, their families anxiously awaited news of their safety.
This sad incident is considered a reminder of the challenges faced by migrant workers, who often leave their homes in search of better economic opportunities, enduring long hours and strenuous conditions in pursuit of a livelihood.
