Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak

On 5th August 2026, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways conferred the Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak on 12 rat miners for their exceptional courage and selfless service during the Silkyara Tunnel rescue operation in Uttarakhand, which led to the successful rescue of the trapped workers.

The Silkyara Tunnel rescue operation involved coordinated efforts by MoRTH, NHIDCL, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), the Indian Army, the Uttarakhand Government, and technical experts.