Rescue operations are ongoing at the site of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel collapse in Nagarkurnool, where eight workers remain trapped. The family of Gurpreet Singh, one of the workers, has urgently called for the government to expedite the rescue efforts, stressing that he is the sole breadwinner of his family.
Relatives of Gurpreet Singh, including his uncle Kalwan Singh, expressed their distress. Kalwan Singh told media, “I am the uncle of Gurpreet Singh. We request the government to rescue Gurpreet and all the other men trapped inside the tunnel. He is the sole breadwinner of his family. We came here yesterday. The company took us inside, and they have assured us that all will be rescued safely.”
Kuldeep Singh, another relative, added, “Among the eight men trapped inside the tunnel, there is a man from Punjab as well. He is my nephew; his name is Gurpreet Singh. He has been working with this company for the last 20 years. His family includes his mother, wife, and two daughters. We hope that the government rescues all the eight people trapped inside and hands them over to their families. The family is in a lot of distress.”
The tunnel collapse occurred on February 22 at the 14 km mark near Domalapenta in Nagarkurnool district, Telangana. A three-metre section of the roof of the under-construction stretch of the SLBC tunnel collapsed, trapping the workers inside. This incident occurred just four days after construction resumed following a lengthy break. While some workers managed to escape, eight others remain trapped.
In response to the crisis, Telangana Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy provided an update on the ongoing rescue efforts. He assured the public that officials had developed a detailed plan to minimize risks to rescuers while accelerating the operation. “The assessment was that the people going into rescue and to bring out the survivors would themselves be at great risk. Yesterday and today till now we have assessed the situation and now we are telling you clearly how to minimize the risk for rescuers and how to go forward. We have made a concrete plan of action now. We will be going with greater speed for saving the survivors and for all rescue and relief operations. We will finish everything in two days,” said Minister Reddy.