Rescue Operation in Telangana’s SLBC Tunnel Collapse Enters Seventh Day; Multi-Agency Effort Continues
Hyderabad, Feb 28: The search and rescue operation in the partially collapsed Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district continued for the seventh consecutive day, with no signs of survivors yet. Eight workers remain trapped since February 22, when a section of the under-construction tunnel collapsed.
A massive multi-agency rescue mission involving the Army, Navy, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), South Central Railway (SCR), Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), and rat hole miners is underway. The focus remains on removing silt and debris to reach the trapped workers.
Intensive Rescue Efforts Underway
Rescue teams have been working round-the-clock, using gas and plasma cutters to cut through the tunnel boring machine (TBM), which broke into pieces during the collapse. The debris from the TBM has been a major obstacle in reaching the workers. On Thursday alone, five teams removed 6,000 cubic meters of silt, making significant progress.
To further intensify operations, SCCL has deployed an additional 200 rescue personnel, bringing the total number of SCCL workers engaged in the operation to over 300. SCCL Chairman and Managing Director N. Balram stated that more personnel and advanced equipment would be mobilized if necessary.
Special Chief Secretary for Disaster Management Arvind Kumar is supervising the rescue operation from the site office at the tunnel’s entrance.
South Central Railway Joins Rescue Effort
On the request of the Nagarkurnool District Collector, South Central Railway (SCR) has deployed two metal-cutting teams with advanced equipment, including plasma cutting machines, Brocho cutting machines, portable air compressors, and ultra-thermic cutting tools. Their primary objective is to clear the debris of steel and iron obstructing the rescue path.
Rescue teams are also working to restore the loco train and conveyor belt system inside the tunnel, which will speed up debris removal and enhance access to the trapped workers.
Government Supervision and Strategy
Telangana Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy is monitoring the rescue operations closely. He confirmed that plasma cutters, high-grade shutters, and specialized debris removal machinery are being used under the guidance of international experts. He also announced that dewatering operations had been reactivated to remove water and silt obstructions inside the tunnel.
The minister posted on X (formerly Twitter) that this multi-agency rescue operation is one of the most challenging and complex tunnel accidents in Indian history. He stated that some of the best national and international experts have been mobilized under a unified command to carry out the operation.
“This is an extremely challenging rescue mission, and experts are risking their lives to complete it. However, we are confident that the operation will be completed within two to three days,” he added.
Political Developments and Site Restrictions
A tense situation arose when Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders, led by former minister T. Harish Rao, visited the site. Following this, the authorities imposed restrictions at the site, citing safety concerns.
Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy clarified that the restrictions were put in place to ensure the safety of both the rescue teams and the workers involved in the operation. He emphasized that the government is fully committed to the rescue efforts and will leave no stone unturned in bringing the trapped workers to safety.
Tunnel Works to Resume After Rescue
The minister further assured that once the rescue operations are successfully completed, the government will take immediate steps to resume construction work on the tunnel within the next two to three months.
“This project is crucial for Telangana, and we will ensure that tunnel works are completed within the stipulated time,” he said.
As the seventh day of the rescue operation progresses, hopes remain that the combined efforts of multiple agencies will lead to a breakthrough in reaching the trapped workers soon.
