The visit follows the chief minister's efforts to shift responsibility for the tragedy onto the previous Bharat Rashtra Samiti government and former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR).
Published Mar 02, 2025 | 9:55 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 02, 2025 | 9:55 PM
Synopsis: Nine days into rescue operations at the collapsed SLBC tunnel, authorities have located four of the eight trapped workers. These four are presumed dead, with officials hoping to retrieve their bodies by Sunday evening. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy visited the site, blaming former Chief Minister KCR for neglecting the project, even as opposition parties mounted criticism of his handling of the tragedy.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy visited the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel site on 2 March to assess the ongoing rescue operation, as efforts to save eight workers trapped inside continue for the ninth day.
The visit follows the chief minister’s efforts to shift responsibility for the tragedy onto the previous Bharat Rashtra Samiti government and former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR).
Speaking at a public meeting in Wanaparthy earlier in the day, Revanth Reddy alleged that KCR, along with former ministers KT Rama Rao and Harish Rao, had neglected South Telangana’s irrigation projects while focusing on developments in North Telangana.
He claimed KCR’s misgovernance directly resulted in the failure to complete SLBC’s remaining works in the last ten years.
“You delayed our projects… Because works were stalled, today the roof collapsed and eight people died. Isn’t this sin yours, KCR?” Revanth remarked.
He also criticised the Andhra Pradesh government for taking Krishna River waters to Rayalaseema while Telangana remained a spectator.
Multiple agencies have deployed around 800 personnel for rescue operations, which now focus on manual excavation at sites confirmed to have trapped workers.
Scientists from the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) used Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) to detect positions of four of the eight trapped individuals. These four are presumed dead and officials expect to retrieve their bodies by Sunday evening.
Meanwhile, officials have expressed concern over the remaining four workers, trapped beneath the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), making their rescue even more challenging.
State Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao, who attended a meeting at the site alongside Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, confirmed the developments.
“The whereabouts of four persons have been located through radar. We are hopeful they will be extricated by Sunday evening,” he said. However, he admitted that survival chances were extremely slim.
Officials briefed the chief minister on key challenges hindering rescue efforts. The collapsed debris, combined with water seepage inside the tunnel, has made excavation difficult.
A detailed presentation outlined major impediments, including hardened ground conditions caused by continuous water oozing from the cave-in site.
Special Chief Secretary (Disaster Management) Arvind Kumar explained the ongoing efforts and concerns regarding rescue personnel safety.
The chief minister emphasised the need for a strategic approach, calling for a comprehensive working plan from all agencies involved.
He also urged authorities to compile their experiences and recommend ways to prevent such incidents in the future, including the importance of having multiple entry and exit points in tunnel projects.
The NGRI continues its studies at the site, analysing it from different angles. While GPR has managed to scan up to a depth of 30 metres, the National Centre for Seismography has been called in for deeper analysis, scanning up to 500 metres.
Meanwhile, authorities have intensified efforts to remove silt at locations where they detected trapped workers, with increased deployment of personnel and equipment. Workers expect to repair the damaged conveyor belt, impacted by the collapse, by Monday, allowing faster debris removal.
The SLBC tunnel collapse has escalated into a political controversy, with the Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) attacking the ruling Congress government over its handling of the crisis.
In response, Chief Minister Revanth highlighted that the Prime Minister had personally enquired about the rescue mission progress and was keen on extending any necessary help.
Responding to BRS criticism of his election campaigning amidst rescue efforts, the chief minister shot back “Where is KCR, Kishan Reddy? Wasn’t Harish Rao in Dubai partying for two days? Ask him to show his passport!”
He further praised Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy, stating, “Uttam Kumar Reddy worked in the army and has experience in handling such situations. Even I wouldn’t have done it as efficiently as he is, in bringing all agencies together.”
Revanth also emphasised that disasters like these should be handled beyond politics, with unity. “Both the government and the opposition should support affected families,” he said.
“This is one of the world’s largest tunnels, and we will not lose hope. The trapped workers’ families will be supported, and the project will be completed. If needed, robots will be deployed to resolve the issue,” said Reddy.
With the search and recovery operation now stretching into its ninth day, families of the trapped workers continue to wait for closure.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
