At least six workers are feared trapped as the roof of a tunnel being constructed as part of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) project partially collapsed in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district. Rescue measures are underway and senior officials have reached the spot.
According to officials, a section of the tunnel’s roof collapsed when workers went in for work on Saturday. According to the construction company engaged in the project, six to eight workers went inside the tunnel for work as usual on Saturday and some individuals are feared to have suffered injuries. "The incident occurred when some workers had gone inside as part of the work and the roof collapsed at 12-13km inside the tunnel," officials told PTI.
Telangana Chief Minister’s office (CMO) said the rescue efforts are on and senior officials including ministers are en route to the spot to oversee operations. In a statement posted on X, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s office said, “Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed shock over the accident at the SLBC tunnel. After receiving information that the roof collapsed at the tunnel and injured many people, the Chief Minister immediately alerted the officials. He ordered the District Collector, SP, Fire Department, Hydra and Irrigation Department officials to immediately reach the spot and provide relief measures.”
The CMO added as directed by Reddy, Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy, Irrigation Advisor Adityanath Das and irrigation officials have left for the accident site in a special helicopter.
Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy also expressed concern over the incident and directed authorities to ensure better treatment for the injured.
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Meanwhile, the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samiti lashed out at the Congress government in the state and said the Revanth Reddy-led government should take full responsibility for the incident. BRS leader K.T. Rama Rao said the collapse of the tunnel soon after the Sunkishala retaining wall collapse is “a testament to the failure of the Congress government”.
“Such incidents are happening due to the collusion with contractors, the evasion of supervision in the hunt for commissions, and the complete compromise on quality standards,” Rao tweeted. He said rescue operations must be carried out on war footing and those injured must be provided with better treatment.