Harish Rao calls out Congress government’s total failure in rescue efforts in SLBC tunnel tragedy

Before leaving for the SLBC site along with BRS leaders from erstwhile Mahabubnagar and Nalgonda districts here, Harish Rao charged the Congress with failing to coordinate between multiple agencies and teams to provide a clear direction on the rescue efforts

Hyderabad: Former Minister and senior BRS MLA T Harish Rao and other leaders were barred by the police from visiting the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel collapse site, triggering a political storm.

Harish Rao, along with former Ministers G Jagadish Reddy, S Niranjan Reddy, V Srinivas Goud, and other leaders, were stopped at a police checkpost near Domalapenta. A heated argument ensued between the BRS leaders and the police, following which BRS leaders staged a sit-in protest. Questioning the sudden restrictions, Harish Rao accused the Congress government of blocking opposition leaders from inspecting the site.

---

“Did Revanth Reddy instruct you to stop us?” he charged against the police, directly blaming the Chief Minister. He was also not allowed to meet Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy and other officials stationed at a project guest house. The locals alleged that the police had allowed local leaders and media personnel to access the area for the last five days, but imposed prohibitory orders within a five-km radius on Thursday — coinciding with the BRS leaders’ visit.

Speaking to the media, Harish Rao slammed the Congress government for its lack of transparency. “For six days, the government has failed to bring out the trapped workers, yet they are busy blocking opposition leaders instead of expediting rescue efforts. Are they trying to hide something?” he asked.

Harish Rao expressed shock that essential measures such as restoration of conveyer belt, and removal of debris of tunnel bore machine and other equipment along with pipes which were obstructing rescue works, were not taken up even six days after the tragedy. “Instead of roping in experts and taking up rescue operations on a warfooting, the government is yet to reach to a conclusion on the rescue strategy,” he added.

The BRS leader stated that the Ministers were shuttling between Hyderabad and the accident site in helicopters everyday as if they are visiting some tourist spot. He asserted that as elected representatives, they had the right to visit the accident spot and examine the ongoing operations to explain to the people about the ground-level situation.

Accusing the Congress of mismanaging Telangana’s irrigation projects, Harish Rao pointed out that accidents occurred at four major projects within 14 months of Congress rule. He said the Ministers remained silent despite the Andhra Pradesh government illegally diverting Krishna River waters denying rightful share of water to Telangana.

He rubbished the allegations by Revanth Reddy and other Ministers over expenditure on SLBC tunnel works during the previous BRS regime. “The Congress spent Rs 3,300 crore on SLBC over decades, while BRS spent Rs 3,900 crore in just ten years. Yet, the project remains incomplete,” he remarked.

The senior BRS MLA stated that the failure of the Congress government in initiating the rescue operations, is evident and feared for the lives of the workers trapped inside the tunnel.

He demanded that rather than making unsubstantiated allegations against the BRS, the Congress government should release the approvals obtained from Geological Survey of India, National Institute of Rock Mechanics and other experts, before resuming the work. “What prompted the Chief Minister to resume the works hastily? They must explain,” he asserted, emphasising the need to expedite the rescue operation.