The rescue operation in the partially collapsed Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district entered its 10th day on Monday, with authorities exploring the possibility of deploying robots to locate the eight trapped workers.
Multiple rescue teams from central and state agencies continued efforts to remove silt and debris using machine-cutting and desilting techniques. The National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) has been assisting in identifying key locations through Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) scans. However, the operation remains challenging due to persistent water seepage, complicating the efforts of teams from the Army, Navy, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Singareni Mines Rescue, Fire Services, HYDRAA, and South Central Railway’s plasma cutters and Rat Miners.
The lack of a functional conveyor belt has further slowed progress, making it difficult to clear silt, water, and debris from the tunnel. Technical teams are working to repair the belt, which is expected to be operational by Monday evening, potentially expediting the rescue efforts.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, who visited the site and held discussions with rescue agencies, suggested exploring the use of robotic technology to enhance the operation and minimize risks. “Eight missing persons have not yet been traced. Experts have not concluded whether they are alive or dead,” he said. The Chief Minister indicated that it may take another two to three days for officials to reach a definitive conclusion.
He acknowledged the difficulties in pinpointing the exact location of both the trapped workers and the machinery but assured that the government remains committed to assisting the families of those affected. Most of the missing workers had come from other states to work as engineers, machine operators, or laborers.
The accident occurred on February 22 when a portion of the tunnel’s roof collapsed at the 14-kilometer mark, injuring two workers and trapping eight others. The missing individuals have been identified as Manoj Kumar and Sri Niwas from Uttar Pradesh, Sunny Singh from Jammu and Kashmir, Gurpreet Singh from Punjab, and Sandeep Sahu, Jegta Xess, Santosh Sahu, and Anuj Sahau from Jharkhand. Among them, two are engineers, two are machine operators, and four are laborers, all employed by Jaiprakash Associates, the contracting firm responsible for the tunnel project.
As the operation continues, authorities remain focused on overcoming technical challenges and deploying all possible measures to ensure the safe recovery of the trapped workers.
-IANS
