Advanced machines have been brought in for the search and rescue operation.
Published Feb 28, 2025 | 8:36 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 28, 2025 | 9:12 PM
Eight workers have been trapped in the debris for the past six days ever since a part of the tunnel’s roof collapsed at Domapenta in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district on 22 February morning. (Sumit Jha/South First)
Synopsis: Telangana Minister Jupally Krishna Rao said only a miracle could save the workers, who have been trapped in the tunnel since 22 February, even as teams of experts raced against time to find them.
Teams from South-Central Railway joined the efforts to find eight workers trapped in debris and slush 14 km inside the under-construction Srisailam Left Bank Canal.
Rescue workers made significant progress on Friday, 28 February, manually clearing hundreds of tonnes of slush and draining water from the tunnel, where the workers have been trapped for the past seven days.
Specialised teams and advanced equipment were brought in to assist the search and rescue operation.
“Work to remove the debris has been underway since yesterday. Specialised workers have been called in, along with teams from the NDRF, SDRF, Army, and other agencies. The work is being carried out in three shifts, and we hope to get good results soon,” Superintendent of Nagarkurnool police Gaikwad Vaibhav Raghunath said.
The South-Central Railway (SCR) deployed teams with advanced cutting tools, including plasma cutters and Brocho cutting machines. The Railways sent in its men after the district Collector sought its assistance.
“District Collector, Nagarkurnool, sought the help of South-Central Railway to assist in clearing the iron and steel debris hindering the rescue operation,” SCR Chief Public Relations Officer A Sridhar said.
Speaking to reporters at the Jaypee Associates’ base camp office, Collector B Santosh urged the members of the public to refrain from spreading misinformation on social media.
He said the authorities were implementing a well-structured plan using modern technology to expedite the rescue efforts. Water was being drained from the tunnel, and plasma gas cutters were used to clear the debris.
“Necessary rescue equipment is kept ready to ensure swift operations. The conveyor belt will be repaired as soon as possible, and excavators have been prepared to remove the sludge. Special cameras and sensors are being used to monitor the conditions inside the tunnel,” he said.
The Collector was speaking after a review meeting attended by the police superintendent, Irrigation Special Secretary Prashant Jeevan Patil, NDRF Officer Sukhendu, TSSPDCL CMD Musharaf Ali, Army officers Colonel Parikshit Mehra and Colonel Amit Kumar Gupta, Singareni Mines Rescue Officer Balaram, Hydraa officials, and Jaypee representatives.
He added that 12 teams were working continuously.
An NDRF official said the rescuers were working in three shifts. Each shift has between 70 and 100 personnel.
“Three shifts of eight hours each are in progress. Debris removal and restoration of the conveyor belt are also underway,” he said.
The National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) was using Ground Probing Radar (GPR) technology to scan the subsurface and assess structural stability.
The Indian Army, Navy, and specialised rat miners are also engaged in the rescue mission, working under extreme conditions to clear the metal debris and sludge accumulated in the tunnel.
Rescue teams have now reached within 50 meters of the collapsed section. Telangana Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy expressed optimism, stating that operations could be completed within the next couple of days.
However, experts cautioned that removing all debris, including the massive Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), remained a complex and time-consuming task.
Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao, who visited the site, provided a grim assessment of the situation.
“Only a miracle can save the trapped workers now,” he said at a news conference in Hyderabad.
While acknowledging the complexity of the situation, he credited the executing company for acting swiftly and preventing further casualties. “Had they not sensed trouble early and alerted the workers, nearly 40 lives could have been lost.”
The state government was now considering long-term measures, including constructing an alternative tunnel to provide additional entry and exit points in case of future emergencies.
The SLBC tunnel collapse has also sparked a political controversy. Jupally Krishna Rao accused the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) of politicising the tragedy.
“Why did the BRS government leave the SLBC project incomplete for 10 years? Why did they abandon tunnel work after digging just 200 meters? They have no moral right to question the Congress government,” he stated.
Meanwhile, BRS leaders have criticised Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy for not visiting the accident site, accusing the government of negligence and inefficiency in handling the crisis.
As rescue teams pushed forward, families of the trapped workers continued to wait anxiously, clinging to hope.
Oxygen was being continuously pumped into the tunnel. However, no contact has been established with the workers, trapped since 22 February morning.
With rescue efforts ramped up and new strategies being implemented, the coming days will be crucial in determining whether the workers can be rescued safely.
District Collector B Santosh has denied reports claiming that eight people, including six workers and two engineers, have been confirmed dead in the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel collapse. He urged the public to refrain from spreading misinformation on social media and assured that rescue operations are progressing with utmost urgency.
He said that authorities have implemented a well-structured plan using advanced technology to expedite rescue operations. Water inside the tunnel is being pumped out, and debris is being cleared with plasma gas cutters. A conveyor belt will soon be deployed, and excavators are prepared to remove sludge. Special cameras and sensors are continuously monitoring the internal conditions of the tunnel to ensure safety.
Rescue teams are using ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to locate possible trapped individuals inside the tunnel. The NGRI has identified five locations where signs of human presence may be detected, and operations are underway to reach these points. However, retrieval remains challenging due to deeply embedded mud and debris. Teams are carefully assessing all possible approaches to ensure a safe and efficient rescue.
“The administration is making relentless efforts to rescue those trapped inside. A structured plan is in place, with specialised teams working round the clock. Advanced technology, including GPR and plasma gas cutters, is being used to expedite the process. Water is being pumped out, and excavators are prepared to remove sludge. Oxygen supply has been ensured. Efforts are ongoing to establish safe access points and locate the missing individuals. The situation remains challenging, but every possible measure is being taken to ensure a successful rescue,” said District Collector B Santosh.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
