Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy visited the site of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel collapse in Nagarkurnool district on Sunday, where eight workers remain trapped after the tunnel roof caved in on February 22. Expressing deep concern over the situation, he acknowledged the challenges facing rescue teams, emphasizing that the exact location of the trapped workers is still unknown.
During his visit, Reddy assured that every effort was being made to accelerate the rescue operation. However, he noted that the presence of mud and water inside the tunnel has significantly slowed progress. The repair of a damaged conveyor belt, expected to be operational by Monday, is seen as a crucial step in expediting the removal of debris. The CM also suggested the deployment of robotic technology to assist rescue personnel, given the hazardous conditions within the tunnel.
Rescue teams, including experts from the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), have been using specialized techniques to locate the trapped workers. Despite their efforts, no signs of human presence have been confirmed so far. Rat miners have also been deployed to dig at identified locations, but with limited success. Officials estimate that it may take another two to three days before the operation reaches a decisive stage.
The CM, after touring the tunnel and meeting with officials overseeing the rescue, commended their hard work but refrained from making any assumptions about the condition of the trapped workers. He stressed that it would be irresponsible to speculate without concrete information from the rescue teams.
The SLBC project, which aims to benefit farmers in Nalgonda district, has faced multiple delays over the years. Reddy did not shy away from criticizing the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government, accusing it of negligence. He blamed former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao for failing to ensure proper infrastructure, including electricity supply, which he claimed contributed to the tunnel’s collapse. The CM questioned why such a critical irrigation project had been left incomplete and called it a leadership failure.
In a recent development, state officials, including Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao, confirmed that radar technology has detected the possible location of four of the eight workers, providing a glimmer of hope. The rescue mission continues with teams working tirelessly to reach those still trapped.
The state government has pledged full support to the workers’ families during this harrowing time, vowing to do everything possible to bring them to safety. As the rescue operation enters a crucial phase, the people of Telangana wait anxiously, hoping for a positive outcome in this race against time.
