Over 500 rescuers are engaged in a high-stakes operation to locate and rescue eight workers trapped inside the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district, following a partial collapse on February 22. Despite relentless efforts from the Army, Navy, Singareni Collieries, and multiple other agencies, no breakthrough has been achieved so far.
Rescue teams are currently cutting through a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) to create a passage and reach the stranded workers, officials told PTI on Saturday. The operation, hampered by waterlogging and debris, remains a race against time.
Families Anxiously Await Updates
As the rescue enters its seventh day, the families of the trapped workers remain in a state of distress, desperate for updates. A relative of Gurpreet Singh, one of the workers, expressed frustration over the lack of communication from officials. Another family member’s request to enter the tunnel was denied due to safety concerns, ANI reported.
Authorities have intensified efforts to expedite the evacuation, deploying additional personnel and equipment to clear the debris and sludge obstructing the tunnel.
Efforts to rescue the eight workers trapped inside the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel continue at an intensified pace, with multiple agencies working in coordination to overcome significant logistical and technical challenges. Authorities are deploying specialized teams and advanced technology to facilitate the rescue while ensuring the safety of all involved.
Army medical teams, equipped with essential supplies, are stationed at the site to provide immediate medical assistance once the trapped workers are reached. Meanwhile, rescue teams are actively engaged in debris removal and dewatering operations to improve accessibility within the tunnel. Personnel from Singareni Collieries, known for their underground rescue expertise, are playing a critical role in these operations.
To assess tunnel conditions and detect possible obstructions, scientists from the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) have deployed Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). Preliminary findings have indicated certain "anomalies" that require further investigation. Additionally, infrastructure repairs are progressing, with officials reporting that work on the damaged conveyor belt inside the tunnel is expected to be completed by Saturday, enabling smoother rescue operations.
Nagarkurnool Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Gaikwad highlighted the collaborative efforts of multiple agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), in expediting the rescue mission. "The rescue operation is ongoing. A team entered the tunnel this morning, and work continues to remove debris and cut parts of the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) to clear the passage. Operations are being carried out on a war footing with the collaboration of 12 departments," Gaikwad told PTI.
With rescue teams working tirelessly around the clock, authorities remain optimistic about making a breakthrough in the coming hours.
Identities of the Trapped Workers
The trapped individuals have been identified as:
- Uttar Pradesh: Manoj Kumar, Sri Niwas
- Jammu & Kashmir: Sunny Singh
- Punjab: Gurpreet Singh
- Jharkhand: Sandeep Sahu, Jegta Xess, Santosh Sahu, Anuj Sahu
Among them, two are engineers, two are machine operators, and the remaining four are laborers employed by Jaiprakash Associates, the contracting firm responsible for the SLBC tunnel project.
Ongoing Challenges and Hope for a Breakthrough
Officials acknowledge that the rescue operation is complicated by the unstable conditions within the tunnel, with persistent water and mud accumulation slowing progress. However, authorities remain hopeful that the workers can be reached soon.
With teams working around the clock and the best experts in the country involved, rescue personnel are pushing to achieve a breakthrough at the earliest possible time.
(With inputs from ANI, PTI)
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