A section of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel in Nagarkurnool district, Telangana, collapsed during construction, leaving several workers trapped and over a dozen injured. Rescue operations are underway, with state authorities, disaster response teams, and the army working to evacuate those still inside.
The underground tunnel, part of a crucial irrigation project, caved in on February 22, trapping at least eight workers. The exact number of those still inside remains uncertain, as rescue teams continue to assess the situation. Officials have confirmed that some injured workers have been pulled out, while efforts are being made to establish contact with those still trapped.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Telangana Chief Minister Anumula Revanth Reddy, assuring full central assistance in the rescue mission. The state government has called in experts and army personnel to aid in the operation, as the tunnel’s unstable structure complicates rescue efforts.
N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, Telangana Minister of Irrigation, Food and Civil Supplies, visited the mishap site during. On social platform X, he posted, “During the entire day, I reviewed and assessed the Rescue Operations at the SLBC tunnel site following the accident which happened inside the tunnel today.
Our Government and the Irrigation Ministry is leaving no stone unturned in the rescue operations of the trapped workers.”
The incident has sparked outrage and demands for a thorough investigation into possible safety lapses in the project. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) has urged authorities to probe the cause of the collapse, questioning whether substandard construction materials or negligence played a role.
The SLBC tunnel is a vital irrigation project aimed at diverting water from the Krishna River to drought-prone areas in Telangana. The collapse raises concerns over safety measures in large-scale infrastructure projects and whether adequate precautions were taken to prevent such disasters.
With the rescue operation still ongoing, authorities are racing against time to save the remaining workers. The government has assured that a detailed inquiry will be conducted, and strict action will be taken if negligence is found.
Meanwhile, families of the trapped workers wait anxiously as efforts continue to bring them out safely.
