Ministers Uttam Kumar Reddy and Jupalli Krishna Rao visited the SLBC tunnel accident site in Nalgonda district. Rescue teams have been deployed to evacuate eight trapped workers, with national disaster response teams joining the operation.
HYDERABAD: Ministers Uttam Kumar Reddy and Jupalli Krishna Rao visited the site of the SLBC tunnel accident in Domalapenta in Nagarkurnool district, on Saturday. Arriving by helicopter, they met with officials to assess the situation and reviewed the rescue measures being taken.
Speaking at a press conference, Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy detailed the sequence of events leading to the incident. He stated that during routine excavation work inside the tunnel, water gushed in for a stretch of three kilometres, causing soil displacement and a sidewall collapse. While most workers managed to evacuate, eight individuals remained trapped inside.
Rescue Operations Intensify
The Telangana government has deployed special rescue teams to safely evacuate the trapped workers. Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy confirmed that discussions are ongoing with engineers who have experience in handling similar incidents. Due to the accident occurring 14 kilometres inside the tunnel, rescue efforts face logistical challenges.
Key developments in the rescue operation:
- Rescue teams have already been deployed
- Indian Army rescue units expected to arrive by night
- Coordination with teams involved in the Uttarakhand tunnel rescue
- National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) mobilized
The trapped workers include a project engineer, a site engineer, and six others. Authorities remain hopeful about their survival and are making every effort to bring them out safely.
SLBC Tunnel Project and Current Status
The Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel is a 44-kilometer-long project aimed at supplying irrigation and drinking water to Nalgonda district. Of this, 34 kilometres have been completed, with 10 kilometres still under construction. The project was set for completion by June 2026, with excavation work resuming on February 18, 2025.
On Saturday morning, as work progressed, water surged into the tunnel, leading to the collapse of a three-meter section of the sidewall. The incident has prompted urgent government intervention, with top officials and engineers closely monitoring the situation.
Government’s Commitment to Rescue Efforts
Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy assured that the government is fully committed to the rescue mission. “We are operating with the belief that the trapped individuals are safe, and we will make every possible effort to bring them out alive,” he said.
Further updates are expected as specialized teams arrive and the rescue operation progresses.
