Tragic SLBC Tunnel Collapse: Another Worker’s Body Recovered

In a heartbreaking update from the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel in Nagarkurnool, Telangana, rescue teams have discovered another worker’s body in the early hours of Tuesday, March 12. The tragic tunnel collapse, which occurred on February 22, left eight workers trapped, leading to a large-scale rescue operation. Despite ongoing efforts, retrieval remains challenging due to the body’s difficult position.

Ongoing Rescue Operations

Rescue operations have been underway for weeks, with multiple agencies working tirelessly to locate and retrieve the trapped workers. The key developments include:

• Another body was discovered in the early hours of Tuesday, but retrieval remains challenging due to its difficult position within the collapsed structure.
• The tunnel collapse incident took place on February 22, trapping eight workers inside the underground passage.
• Gurpreet Singh, one of the trapped workers, was the first victim to be recovered on March 9 after extensive efforts.
• The Telangana Chief Minister, Revanth Reddy, has announced a ₹25 lakh compensation package for the families of the deceased workers.
• Over 700 personnel from 25 different agencies are involved in the rescue operations, including teams from government bodies and private organizations.

Government’s Response and Efforts

Recognizing the severity of the situation, the Telangana government has taken swift action to oversee and expedite the rescue efforts.

• CM Revanth Reddy has directed officials to accelerate the rescue operations and ensure the safe retrieval of the remaining workers.
• The Chief Secretary, Santhi Kumari, was instructed to appoint senior IAS officer Shiva Shankar Loteti as the Special Officer in charge of the rescue mission, ensuring round-the-clock monitoring.
• A high-level emergency meeting was held at the Assembly Hall on Monday, where officials provided an update on the rescue progress and challenges.
• The meeting was attended by key ministers and senior officials, highlighting the government’s commitment to resolving the crisis efficiently.

Officials and Authorities Involved

A significant number of top-ranking officials are actively engaged in the rescue operations and providing strategic guidance.

Official	Designation
Revanth Reddy	Chief Minister of Telangana
Santhi Kumari	Chief Secretary
Shiva Shankar Loteti	Special Officer for Rescue Operations
N Uttam N Kumar Reddy	Minister
Jupally Krishna Rao	Minister
Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy	Minister
Arvind Kumar	State Special Chief Secretary (Disaster Management)
Colonel Parikshit Mehra	Rescue Operations Coordinator

Challenges in Rescue Operations

Despite the large-scale rescue mission, multiple obstacles have slowed down progress, making retrieval efforts significantly complex. Some of the key challenges include:

• Depth of the accident site: The collapse occurred 14 kilometers from the tunnel’s inlet, making access difficult for rescue teams.
• Unstable conditions: The area where the accident occurred has been classified as a 30-meter danger zone, requiring cautious excavation.
• Low air and light availability: The underground passage has poor air circulation and insufficient lighting, which has complicated retrieval efforts.
• Obstructions within the tunnel: The rescue teams are engaged in removing debris, dismantling the collapsed Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) parts, and clearing silt and seepage water.
• Large-scale coordination: With 25 different agencies working together, effective coordination is required to ensure smooth and safe operations.
• Technical limitations: The use of heavy machinery is limited due to space constraints and the risk of further destabilizing the structure.

Current Rescue Strategies

In response to these challenges, the rescue teams have adopted a combination of manual and technological approaches to speed up the process:

• Deploying advanced robotic cameras to assess the inside conditions of the collapsed tunnel.
• Utilizing drilling equipment to create alternative access points for safer retrieval of the victims.
• Implementing air circulation systems to improve ventilation inside the tunnel.
• Conducting detailed risk assessments before engaging in each phase of the rescue operation.
• Holding regular strategy meetings with experts and engineers to determine the safest course of action.

Future Actions and Government Support

• The Telangana government has assured full financial and emotional support to the affected families.
• Additional safety measures are being discussed to prevent similar tunnel accidents in the future.
• A comprehensive report on the cause of the collapse will be prepared, with recommendations for stricter safety protocols in construction projects.
• Authorities are committed to a thorough and careful approach and will retrieve the remaining workers as soon as it is safe to do so.

FAQs

1. How many workers were trapped in the SLBC tunnel collapse?
Eight workers were trapped when the tunnel collapsed on February 22. Efforts are ongoing to retrieve the remaining bodies.

2. What compensation has the Telangana government announced?
The Telangana government has announced a ₹25 lakh compensation for the families of each deceased worker as financial support.

3. Why has the rescue operation been delayed?
The rescue efforts have faced delays due to poor air circulation, low visibility, the depth of the collapse site (14 km from the inlet), and unstable conditions in the accident zone.

4. How many personnel are involved in the rescue operation?
A total of 700 personnel from 25 different agencies, including government and private organizations, are actively working on the rescue efforts, making it one of the largest rescue missions in recent times.

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