Telangana Tunnel Collapse: Rescuers Racing against Time to Rescue Trapped Personnel

Manas Dasgupta

NEW DELHI, Feb 24: Even as the Telangana government is making all-out efforts to rescue the eight workers trapped for over 48 hours inside the collapsed Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) project tunnel in Nagarkurnool district, rescuers are racing against time to bring them out with their chances of survival diminishing every minute.

A state minister has warned that their survival chances are “very, very remote” as a pileup of muck and water hinders the rescue mission. The tunnel, proposed to be 44-km-long – behind the Srisailam dam in Nagarkurnool collapsed Saturday morning when some workers were inside repairing a leak. While most of them managed to escape, eight including two engineers, two technical staff and four workers, got trapped and have been out of contact since Saturday.

Four of them are labourers and four are employees of the construction company, said state minister Krishna Rao, who is overseeing the rescue efforts. It’s a race against time as the country’s top nine agencies renowned for handling rescue operations during natural disasters are working round the clock to the save he eight persons stuck inside the SLBC tunnel.

The joint rescue teams comprising, Army, NDRF, SDRF, Singareni Collieries, NHIDCL personnel with the help of experts who handled the Silkyara tunnel collapse in Uttarakhand are already engaged in the rescue operations while Navy commandos have also arrived to assist them. Six members of the heroic team behind the 2023 Silkyara tunnel operation in Uttarakhand have also joined the rescue efforts.

The collapse occurred at least 13 km from the mouth of the tunnel and the rescuers have reached the final 100 metres, but the minister said water and muck are impeding the rescue operation and there is a dim chance of survival for the trapped workers. “Muck has piled up too high inside the tunnel which has made it impossible to walk. The rescuers are using rubber tubes and wooden planks to navigate. The chances of survival are very, very remote, but we are hopeful and not sparing any effort,” said Mr Rao.

The rescuers have also flagged the need for more equipment as they fight the odds to bring out the trapped workers. A report on Sunday said there were cracks on the walls of the tunnel from where water was gushing out and needed de-waterisation. Another concern was the noises of shifting boulders that indicated the roof in the collapsed portion of the tunnel was still unstable. The situation is being monitored round the clock at central and state levels.

Minister for Irrigation N. Uttam Kumar Reddy stated that as part of the efforts to ensure a swift and safe rescue of those trapped inside, dewatering operation was going on continuously and oxygen (fresh air) was being continuously pumped into the tunnel for the survival of the trapped persons.

“We have reviewed the rescue operation with the team leads of all agencies taking part in the rescue work. The government is making all possible efforts to save the eight lives. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is personally monitoring the situation and the entire administration is on a high alert,” Mr Reddy said after returning to Hyderabad from the tunnel accident site at Domalapenta.

The Minister stated that the situation at the accident site was critical and the intense seepage of water and muck deposit on the tunnel floor after collapse of a portion of it was seriously hampering the rescue operation. Steps were taken to prevent waterlogging and the government was also exploring the possibility of employing alternative methods not only to clear the mud and debris inside but also to bring out those trapped in the tunnel safely.

“The natural rock formations in the tunnel became loose, causing sudden water and mud inflow. It’s a highly challenging situation and the technical experts are working round the clock to resolve the crisis,” he explained. He mentioned that taking heavy machinery into the tunnel was difficult due to the terrain, but officials were working on alternate methods to remove the debris.

He suggested those criticising the government in the tunnel collapse incident, particularly the leaders of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), to offer suggestions if possible instead of making baseless allegations and stop petty politics during the hour of crisis. He made it clear that the rescue operation remains the government’s top priority and “we are totally focused on saving the lives of those trapped inside the tunnel.”

The SLBC has a height of 30.7 feet after completion (lining of the tunnel). After the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) drills, 360 degrees of the tunnel is lined with prefabricated cement blocks to prevent collapse, seepage. The tunnel is 400 metres below the Amrabad Tiger Reserve.

Indian Navy’s Marine Commandos (MARCOS) are participating in the operation with special equipment to trace those trapped inside. Treading the last 150 meters is proving to be a herculean task as the muck piled up for 6 to 7 ft height on the SLBC tunnel floor. Further, the constant seepage of water and accumulation of muck and debris – including boulders – were stated to be making the task of rescue teams difficult.

Telangana Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said the agreement to take up the SLBC project was made in 2005 during the regime headed by late Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy. The cost of the project was ₹4,600 crore at that time and the tunnel covers a distance of 44 kms of which work on 35 kms is already completed. Once completed, the project would draw 30 tmcft water to irrigate four-lakh acres of land in Nalgonda and Khammam district. This is also World’s longest irrigation tunnel.

Chief Engineer V. Ajay Kumar stated that they had resumed the work only after arresting the seepages with grouting of tunnel roof and side wall with about 300 tonnes cement-concrete mixed with polyurethane and other chemicals but the unfortunate incident occurred with seepage in the portion that had no seepage when the work was resumed on February 18.

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, whose Congress party holds power in Telangana, dialled Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on Sunday to enquire about the rescue operation while Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured full assistance. Mr Reddy’s office said last night he has been constantly reviewing the situation and taking inputs from senior officials. It said he was aware of the hindrances and has asked for arrangements to be made to drain water from inside the tunnel and provide oxygen. The rescuers are removing the muck and trying to find alternative routes to the collapse site, said the Chief Minister’s Office.