Nagarkurnool, Telangana, March 2: Rescue operations to free eight people trapped inside the partially collapsed Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel in Telangana's Nagarkurnool district have intensified, with personnel and equipment deployment significantly increased to expedite silt removal and debris clearance.
Authorities said on Sunday that repairs on the damaged conveyor belt—crucial for clearing muck and debris—are progressing and are expected to be completed by Monday. "Once the conveyor belt is restored, removing debris will become easier," an official involved in the rescue operations stated.
A critical breakthrough was achieved on Saturday when scientists from the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) utilized Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technology to detect "anomalies" within the tunnel, successfully locating four of the trapped workers. The discovery has provided rescue teams with valuable insights into navigating the complex rescue mission underway since the tunnel's roof collapsed on February 22.
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy is scheduled to visit the rescue site on Sunday evening. He will conduct a review meeting with senior officials overseeing the operation to coordinate further strategies.
Telangana’s State Excise Minister, Jupally Krishna Rao, expressed concern regarding the other four trapped individuals, believed to be positioned beneath a tunnel boring machine. He cautioned that rescuing them might require considerable time and effort. Responding to reporters on the condition of the four located workers, Minister Rao indicated that their chances of survival are currently remote.
The State Disaster Management Department disclosed that the rescue operation now involves extensive efforts from 18 organizations, 54 senior officials, and 703 personnel, underscoring the scale and complexity of the ongoing mission.
Those trapped inside the tunnel have been identified as engineers and labourers from various states, including 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 Sahu from Jharkhand.
Efforts, including continuous dewatering and silt clearance, continue around the clock in hopes of successfully rescuing those trapped beneath the collapsed tunnel.
