WATCH: 41 rescued workers board IAF's Chinook, reach AIIMS Rishikesh

The 41 workers, rescued on Tuesday night after being trapped inside Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi since 12 November, were flown from Chinyalisaur to AIIMS Rishikesh in IAF's transport aircraft Chinook on Wednesday afternoon.

After a grueling 17-day operation, the workers rescued from the collapsed tunnel in Uttarkashi were kept under medical observation at a hospital in Chinyalisaur after their evacuation.

They arrived in AIIMS Rishikesh later in the afternoon.

Twin-rotor Chinook provides the Indian Air Force (IAF) strategic airlift capability for rescue operations and in the past too, it has been used for humanitarian missions.

Why Chinook is used to transport workers?

Chinook, manufactured, by Boeing has the ability to deliver heavy payloads to high altitudes and makes it suitable in the high Himalayas.

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The IAF acquired 15 Chinook choppers in a multi-billion dollar deal with Boeing.

The Chinook helicopter can transport up to 44 troops or 24 casualty liters (stretchers) in one sortie.

Earlier in the day, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met all the 41 rescued workers who were kept under medical observation at Chinyalisaur Community Health Centre. He also handed over relief cheques to them.

"I gave Rs 1 lakh cheques to them as promised. Also, the rescuers, who went inside the tunnel for digging, will be awarded Rs 50,000 each by the state government," the Uttarakhand Chief Minister said.

Also Read: PM Modi, like a parent, was concerned about 41 workers' wellbeing: Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami

Dhami also said the Baukhnag temple will be rebuilt and the tunnels under construction in the hill state will be reviewed.

With inputs from agencies