12 rat miners awarded Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak for Silkyara tunnel rescue

Twelve rat miners have been awarded the Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak (Supreme Gallantry Award) for their role in the 2023 Silkyara tunnel rescue operation. Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari presented the awards, recognising the miners' exceptional courage and selfless service.

The rat miners were instrumental in rescuing 41 workers who were trapped inside the tunnel in Uttarakhand. Their precision drilling and expert navigation through narrow spaces proved critical to the successful operation that captured national attention.