Nagarkurnool (Telangana) [India], March 2: The rescue operation to save eight workers trapped inside the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel in Nagarkurnool entered its ninth day on Sunday. The workers have been stranded since the tunnel collapsed on February 22, and teams are continuing their relentless efforts to reach them.
On Saturday, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs visited the accident site to assess the ongoing situation. BJP MLA Maheshwar Reddy attributed the accident to mismanagement by both the current and previous state governments. He highlighted negligence as the main factor that led to the tunnel collapse, which has put the lives of the eight workers in danger.
“The rescue operation is underway, but the state government is responsible for this incident…They neglected several issues and started the work, which has now resulted in this disaster…The state government should take responsibility for this incident,” said Reddy.
Another BJP MLA, Payal Shankar, reassured the public by stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is closely monitoring the situation and providing necessary assistance. “PM Modi is in continuous contact with the state government and has sent all the help required…The rescue operation is underway…We hope that the eight people trapped inside come out safely,” she said.
Earlier, Telangana Chief Secretary Shanti Kumari, along with Ministers Uttam Kumar Reddy and Jupalli Krishna Rao, visited the SLBC tunnel site and held a review meeting with rescue officials. The rescue team has been focusing on saving the eight workers, with hopes of rescuing four of them by Sunday. Minister Jupally Krishna Rao expressed optimism, stating, “The efforts are underway… We are confident that by Sunday, we will be able to rescue four people who have been identified.”
Despite the challenges, including the presence of water and slush in the tunnel, ambulances and Army medical teams with supplies have been stationed at the site to assist the rescue operation. Family members of the trapped workers remain anxious as they await the safe return of their loved ones.