SLBC tunnel cave-in site inundated with water up to 13 feet: Uttam Kumar Reddy

Says rescue operations facing extremely complex situations; technical experts working to resolve issue

Hyderabad: The natural rock formations inside the SLBC tunnel have loosened triggering a surge of water and mud flow leaving the worksite inundated up to 12-13 feet, Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy said on Tuesday.

He stated that the rescue operations that were underway were facing extremely complex situations. Technical experts were working to resolve it, he explained.

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Addressing a press conference near the site, the Minister said the accident site was geographically challenging, making it difficult to transport heavy machinery. The agencies involved were adopting alternative methods to remove the debris. The Irrigation Department, Disaster Management Teams, and Defence Forces were jointly conducting the rescue operations, continuously supplying oxygen and using motors for dewatering.

He emphasized that leakages were a common risk in tunnel construction, and said that similar incidents had occurred in the past. The situation at the accident site remained critical, and water flow was impeding the rescue efforts. Measures were being taken to curb water logging, and alternative methods were being explored to remove the debris from the tunnel.

“The government is giving utmost priority to saving the lives of the workers. The State government, Army, Navy, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and other agencies are working collectively to conduct swift and safe rescue operations,” he said, adding that the dewatering process had started, and oxygen flow was continuously being ensured to the spot where the workers were trapped inside the tunnel.

“We have reviewed the rescue operations with representatives from the Army, Navy, and NDRF. The government is employing all possible means to save the lives of the eight workers trapped in the tunnel. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy is personally monitoring the situation. The entire government machinery is on high alert,” he stated.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi have been in close contact with the Chief Minister, offering full support for the rescue efforts. Rahul Gandhi called the Chief Minister on Tuesday as well to enquire about the latest situation, while the Prime Minister had already assured necessary assistance, he said.