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8 workers trapped after roof of under-construction tunnel collapses in Telangana
Those trapped inside are two engineers, two machine operators and four workers.
At least eight workers were trapped after a section of a roof collapsed in the under-construction stretch of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) in Nagarkurnool district of Telangana on Saturday, according to Telangana irrigation minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, reported PTI.
Reddy said the state government is taking the help of experts, including those who rescued the trapped workers in an incident in Uttarakhand last year, and sought the help of the Indian Army and NDRF.
Those trapped inside are two engineers, two machine operators and four workers, according to PTI.
"Our government is doing everything to save the lives of those eight persons. We also spoke to the experts involved in saving the individuals in the Uttarakhand incident," the minister said.
He added that personnel were trapped 14 kilometre inside the tunnel. The seepage of water and soil began slowly and increased later prompting the workers to come out. They also heard a loud sound as they felt some "geological disturbance" outside the tunnel, he added.
Earlier today, Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy expressed shock over the incident. According to ANI, a statement by his office said that the CM alerted officials soon after receiving information about the collapse of the roof at the tunnel.
The CM also directed the district collector, superintendent of police, fire services department, Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) and irrigation officials to rush to the spot and take relief measures immediately.
Meanwhile, Union coal minister G Kishan Reddy also expressed concern over the accident. According to a release from his office, he has directed officials to bring those feared trapped to safety and to treat the injured.
BRS working president KT Rama Rao criticised CM Reddy over the incident, saying that the latter should take responsibility for the accident.
"The state chief minister Revanth Reddy should take full responsibility for the accident at the SLBC tunnel. The fact that another tragedy occurred in the state before the incident of the retaining wall collapse in Sunkishala is a testament to the failure of the Congress government," KTR said in a post on X.
He also claimed that such accidents happen due to collusion with contractors and evasion by supervisors.
"Such a series of incidents is happening due to the collusion with contractors, the evasion of supervision in the hunt for commissions, and the complete compromise on quality standards. If anyone is trapped inside in this roof collapse incident, rescue operations should be carried out on a war footing to bring them out safely," his post added.
State-owned coal mining firm roped in
A 19-member team from state-owned coal mining firm, Singareni Collieries Company Ltd, has left for Srisailam Left Bank Canal in Nagarkurnool district on Saturday to join rescue operations, reports PTI.
The firm has the expertise in rescuing people in such incidents and also has necessary equipment, according to a top official of the company.
"SCCL has the necessary expertise to handle critical situations such as roof collapses. And also we have necessary equipment imported from Australia, USA and Poland. The machinery and rock cutters are so advanced that they can cut huge rocks and boulders within minutes,” SCCL CMD N Balaram told PTI.
(Inputs from PTI)
