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At least six workers are feared trapped following the collapse of a section of the roof in the under-construction stretch of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel in Nagarkurnool district of Telangana on Saturday, police said.
Ongoing Assessment by Authorities
A senior police official confirmed that six to eight workers might be trapped based on information provided by the construction company overseeing the project.
“The incident occurred when some workers had gone inside as part of the work. The roof collapsed at a point 12 to 13 kilometers inside the tunnel,” the official told PTI.
The construction company has sent a team inside to assess the situation and verify the number of workers trapped, authorities said.
Relief Efforts to Telangana Tunnel Collapse
The Chief Minister’s Office issued a press release acknowledging that some individuals had sustained injuries but did not specify the number of casualties.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has directed the district Collector, Superintendent of Police, and other senior officials to reach the accident site and oversee relief operations.
In line with the Chief Minister’s orders, state Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, government adviser on irrigation Adityanath Das, and other irrigation officials have been dispatched to the site via a special helicopter, the statement added.
Opposition Leaders Express Concern Over Telangana Tunnel Collapse
Union Coal Minister G. Kishan Reddy expressed concern over the accident and sought details regarding its cause.
He urged officials to prioritize the rescue efforts and ensure the safe evacuation of those feared trapped. He also instructed authorities to provide medical assistance to any injured workers, according to a release from his office.
BRS leader and MLC K. Kavitha expressed shock over the tunnel collapse and called for the intervention of the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA). She raised concerns about the accident occurring soon after construction resumed.
“The collapse of the tunnel roof and the injuries sustained by workers are highly unfortunate,” Kavitha said. She emphasized that during the tenure of former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao, a 10-kilometer stretch of the tunnel had been excavated without any incidents.
Ongoing Rescue Efforts
Highlighting the fact that over nine kilometers of the tunnel still need to be excavated, she urged the NDSA to ensure stringent safety measures are in place to prevent further mishaps.
Kavitha also demanded that the government provide the best possible medical care for the injured workers.
Authorities continue to assess the situation, with rescue operations underway to locate and safely evacuate the trapped workers. Further updates are expected as officials work to determine the full extent of the accident.
Also Read: Telangana Tunnel Collapse: 30 Workers Feared Trapped Near Srisailam Dam
