Nagarkurnool (Telangana) [India]: Telangana Minister for Irrigation and Civil Supplies, Uttam Kumar Reddy, announced on Saturday that robotic technology has been deployed to accelerate rescue operations at the SLBC (Srisailam Left Bank Canal) tunnel near Domalapenta in Nagarkurnool district, where eight workers remain trapped.
Calling the incident a “national disaster,” the minister emphasized that the state government is utilizing the best global technology to address challenges in the final stretch of the 14-kilometer-long tunnel.
Advanced Rescue Operations
During his visit to the site, Uttam Kumar Reddy reviewed the situation with officials from multiple national agencies, including State Disaster Management Secretary Arvind Kumar and Army Commandant Parikshit Mehra. Senior officials from Singareni, Railways, NGRI, and HYDRAA were also present, alongside District Collector Badavath Santosh and SP Vaibhav Gaikwad Raghunath.
The minister highlighted the unprecedented nature of the tunnel accident, describing it as the first of its kind in India. Rescue teams have advanced up to 13.95 kilometers inside the tunnel, but the final 50 meters remain highly unstable due to oxygen depletion, water seepage, and metal fragments from the collapsed Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM).
To counter these risks, robots equipped with high-resolution cameras, infrared sensors, and robotic arms have been deployed to assess conditions and assist in the extraction of trapped workers. The minister announced an immediate allocation of Rs 4 crore for the deployment of these robotic systems, directing officials to begin using them without delay.
Cadaver Dogs and Rescue Progress
Uttam Kumar Reddy revealed that cadaver dogs from Kerala detected a strong odour at a specific location in the tunnel, indicating the possible presence of three individuals. He assured that the government would provide full support to the families of the missing workers.
The minister also reviewed ongoing dewatering and desilting efforts and confirmed that further updates would be provided after a review on March 11. Despite continuous efforts by 11 national-level rescue teams over the past two weeks, locating and retrieving the trapped workers remains a challenge.
Consultations with Global Experts
The Telangana government is consulting tunnel construction and rescue experts from across the globe to determine the safest course of action. On Saturday, 525 personnel were engaged in the rescue operations.
While the Compressed Air System (CPS) is operational, the conveyor belt, which collapsed during the accident, has been made largely functional except for the last 50-100 meters. The minister reaffirmed that there were no financial constraints hindering the rescue mission.
Commitment to Rescue Mission
Uttam Kumar Reddy acknowledged the dedication of all officials, experts, and workers involved in the rescue efforts. He also reiterated the government’s support for the families of the trapped workers, assuring them of all necessary assistance.
The minister stated that he would personally return to the site in the next two to three days to assess the progress of the robotic operations. He emphasized that the rescue efforts would continue until every trapped worker was located and retrieved, with robotic technology playing a crucial role in achieving that goal.