IIT Madras experts, along with naval and RAT Miners teams, are assisting in the rescue of eight workers trapped in the SLBC tunnel in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district.
NAGARKURNOOL: The Telangana government has deployed IIT Madras experts to assist in the rescue of eight workers trapped inside the SLBC tunnel in Nagarkurnool district. The same team had successfully rescued 34 workers using advanced technology during a tunnel collapse in Uttarakhand in 2023.
At the accident site, IIT Madras experts are using high-tech equipment, including Aqua Eye Flexi Probe cameras, to locate and safely evacuate the trapped workers. Additionally, a naval team from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, has also joined the ongoing rescue efforts.
The rescue operation, now in its third day, continues to face obstacles. On Sunday, teams managed to advance 13 km into the tunnel, but on Monday, progress slowed to 11 km due to heavy mud and debris blocking the way. Efforts to remove accumulated mud and silt are still underway.
IIT Madras experts explained that the Aqua Eye camera provides high-resolution images and can detect objects up to 50 metres underwater. It can locate trapped individuals even in muddy conditions and has been used in previous rescue missions across India.
Deployment of RAT Miners for Tunnel Rescue
Additionally, a specialist team of RAT Miners, known for their expertise in tunnel rescues, has been deployed. This team had previously rescued 41 people from the Silkyara tunnel collapse in Uttarkashi. Of the 12-member team, six have already arrived at the accident site, while the remaining six are expected to reach Hyderabad from Delhi by Monday night.
Firoz Qureshi, who is overseeing the RAT Miners’ team, stated that they had arrived from Delhi upon the request of the Nagarkurnool district collector and are actively participating in the rescue mission.
