Heavy silt accumulation is obstructing further movement towards the section where the trapped workers are believed to be. Amid mounting challenges, the Irrigation Department remains on high alert and is considering alternative measures
Published Feb 23, 2025 | 7:09 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 24, 2025 | 11:51 AM
Synopsis: Rescue teams battling against time and treacherous conditions have reached the site where the tunnel boring machine was operating before the collapse of the under-construction Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel in Telangana. However, the situation remains critical with thick silt accumulation, severe waterlogging, and mangled debris continue to hinder their efforts to reach the eight workers trapped since Saturday.
Rescue teams have made significant progress and reached the site where the tunnel boring machine was operating before the collapse of an under-construction Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel in Telangana, authorities confirmed on Sunday, 23 February.
Eight workers have been trapped in the collapsed section since Saturday.
However, heavy silt accumulation is obstructing further movement towards the section where the trapped workers are believed to be, Nagarkurnool District Collector B Santhosh said.
The collector, who is overseeing the rescue efforts, stated that multiple agencies are actively involved in the operation.
These include four NDRF teams – one from Hyderabad and three from Vijayawada – comprising 138 personnel, 24 Army personnel, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams, 23 specialists from Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) equipped with rescue tools, and members of the infrastructure firm managing the project.
Oxygen and power supplies have been restored inside the tunnel, while dewatering and desilting operations continue. “As of now, we have no direct communication with the trapped workers. Once rescuers reach them, we will be able to provide further updates,” Santhosh said.
The situation remains critical, with extensive debris, damaged TBM components, and waterlogging creating significant challenges. “There is severe waterlogging in a 2-km stretch leading up to the 13.5-km point.
“Our heavy equipment cannot reach the collapsed section until dewatering is completed. Additional pumps have been deployed to speed up the process,” the collector explained.
Dewatering operations have begun, and oxygen is being continuously pumped into the tunnel to sustain the trapped workers.
Irrigation & Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy stated that water inflow at the accident site is hampering rescue operations. Measures are being taken to prevent waterlogging, and alternative solutions are being explored to clear the mud and debris inside the tunnel.
“The natural rock formations in the tunnel became loose, which caused sudden water and mud inflow, filling about 12-13 feet of the tunnel. This is a highly challenging situation, and technical experts are working round the clock to resolve the crisis,” he explained.
The minister mentioned that getting heavy machinery into the tunnel is difficult due to the terrain, but officials are working on alternate methods to remove the debris.
The Irrigation Department, Disaster Response Teams, and Defense personnel are coordinating efforts, with oxygen being continuously pumped inside and motors deployed for dewatering.
“We have reviewed the relief operations with representatives from the Army, Navy, and NDRF. The government is putting in all possible efforts to save the eight lives inside the tunnel. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy is personally monitoring the situation, and the entire administration is on high alert,” Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy said while inspecting the rescue operations.
Amid mounting challenges, the Irrigation Department remains on high alert and is considering alternative measures.
If rescue teams fail to access the accident site, authorities may resort to drilling through the 400-metre overburden or opening the tunnel from the top or sides. These measures could be implemented as early as tonight if the situation does not improve.
The minister further informed that both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi spoke to the Chief Minister and expressed their full support for the rescue efforts.
Rahul Gandhi personally called the Chief Minister today for an update, while Prime Minister Modi had also spoken to him earlier, assuring all necessary assistance.
On Saturday night, Uttam Kumar Reddy met Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to review the rescue strategy.
He also held a teleconference with Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari, Irrigation Department Principal Secretary Rahul Bojja, and NDRF and SDRF officials to assess progress and issue further instructions.
The minister returned to the site on Sunday morning, where he conducted a high-level review meeting with engineering officials and the contracting agency responsible for the tunnel project.
His colleague, Minister Jupally Krishna Rao, was also present at the accident site to supervise certain rescue operations.
Singareni Collieries General Manager Srinivas Reddy acknowledged the grim reality of the situation. “The tunnel is flooded up to 11 kilometres, reducing the chances of survival for those trapped. However, we are making every effort to reach them,” he told ANI.
By Sunday afternoon, after 14 hours of relentless operations, hope began to fade. The rescue effort seemed to shift towards a recovery mission as teams struggled to reach the trapped workers in time.
Despite this, the NDRF, SDRF, and state fire services launched an all-out push, using every available resource in a last-ditch attempt to break through.
A specialised team equipped with gas cutters reached the collapsed section, located 13.9 km inside the tunnel.
They began cutting through mangled steel bars and shattered concrete linings, but progress remained painfully slow. An Army engineering corps official described the dire situation: “The only way forward was to crawl over the debris-covered conveyor belt system.”
Rescue teams attempted to access the blocked area via a large 3-metre-wide ventilation duct on Saturday night but abandoned the idea due to the complexity of the task.
Minister Jupally Krishna Rao has said that the SLBC tunnel incident was neither due to human error nor government negligence. The tragedy occurred due to the sudden ingress of soil and water into the tunnel.
The presence of mud and water at the site is hindering rescue operations. Despite the challenging circumstances, the government is making every possible effort to rescue the workers trapped inside.
Earlier, in a statement, a rescued worker had explained, “Everyone knew that the water was receding. When the tunnel boring machine operates, the rocks naturally vibrate, which can cause underground springs to open. And, that’s what happened when the work started on Saturday.”
Uttam Kumar Reddy strongly condemned the BRS leadership for attempting to politicise the SLBC tunnel incident instead of supporting the rescue efforts. He held the previous BRS government responsible for neglecting the SLBC project for over a decade, which, he said, may have contributed to the accident.
“The previous BRS government ignored this project for ten years, and now they are trying to shift the blame. It is laughable that those who prioritised commissions over project execution are now pointing fingers. Tunnel construction always carries the risk of leakages, and similar incidents occurred under BRS rule as well. Instead of offering solutions, they are engaging in baseless political criticism,” he stated.
The minister emphasised that rescue operations remain the government’s top priority and urged BRS leaders to stop indulging in petty politics at a time of crisis.
“We are focused on saving lives. At this crucial hour, I urge everyone to support the ongoing efforts instead of making irresponsible statements,” he added.
(Edited by Dese Gowda with inputs from Sumit Jha)
