Nagarkurnool, Telangana: At least six workers are feared trapped after a section of the roof collapsed in the under-construction stretch of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district on Saturday.
A senior police official confirmed to PTI that six to eight workers were inside the tunnel when the collapse occurred at approximately 12-13 km within the structure. Authorities are currently assessing the situation and coordinating rescue efforts.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy Orders Urgent Relief Measures
Expressing shock over the incident, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy immediately directed state officials to initiate rescue operations. According to ANI, a statement from his office confirmed that the CM was alerted about the accident and promptly instructed key departments, including the district administration, police, fire services, the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), and irrigation officials, to rush to the site and oversee relief efforts.
While an official press release acknowledged injuries resulting from the collapse, it did not specify the number of affected workers.
Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, along with advisor Adityanath Das and senior irrigation officials, has been dispatched to the accident site via a special helicopter on the CM’s instructions.
Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy Calls for Swift Rescue Efforts
Union Coal Minister G. Kishan Reddy also expressed concern over the incident. In a statement, his office confirmed that he had instructed officials to prioritize rescue operations and ensure that all injured workers receive immediate medical attention.
Political Fallout: K.T. Rama Rao Criticizes Government Response
The incident has sparked political reactions, with BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) holding Chief Minister Revanth Reddy accountable for the mishap.
"The state Chief Minister should take full responsibility for the accident at the SLBC tunnel. Another tragedy in Telangana, following the recent retaining wall collapse in Sunkishala, highlights the Congress government’s failure," KTR stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
He further alleged that negligence, corruption, and poor oversight had contributed to the disaster. “Such incidents are occurring due to collusion with contractors, lack of proper supervision, and a complete disregard for quality standards. If any workers remain trapped, rescue operations must be conducted on a war footing to ensure their safety,” he added.
Ongoing Rescue Operations
As emergency teams continue their efforts to locate and extract the trapped workers, authorities are working to determine the cause of the collapse and assess potential structural risks in the tunnel’s construction. Further updates on the rescue mission and official statements are expected in the coming hours.
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