SLBC tunnel mishap: Debris removal works gain momentum

Mud at the tunnel boring machine end cleared completely; dewatering process progressing quickly

Hyderabad: Debris clearance at the roof collapse site inside the SLBC tunnel project gained momentum following the restoration of conveyor belt. Mounds of mud lying at the tunnel boring machine (TBM) end were completely cleared speeding up the rescue operations on Wednesday.

The progress in the rescue efforts was reviewed at a high-level meeting chaired by Special Chief Secretary (Disaster Management) Arvind Kumar. He said that the rescue teams were continuously working to remove the debris in other stretches of the tunnel. The Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) detected surface disturbances, and excavation work was being carried out rapidly. The dewatering process was also progressing quickly, and mud was removed using water jets from the left side of the TBM.

---

Rescue teams, including representatives from the National Centre for Seismology from Delhi and NV Robotics from Hyderabad have joined the efforts to provide robotic services at the SLBC tunnel accident site. SDRF teams are using water jets to remove the mud, and a demo of the water jets was presented to the officials to show their effectiveness in clearing the accumulated soil on the TBM.

Despite facing challenges, the rescue operation is being expedited, with ventilation and lighting facilities extended further into the tunnel, officials said.

The review meeting was attended by Fire Services Director General Nagireddy, TSSPDCL CMD Musharraf Ali, District SP Vaibhav Gaikwad Raghunath, Colonel Parikshit Mehra, NDRF Officer, Prasanna, representatives from Singareni Mines Rescue, SDRF, Fire Services, South Central Railway, Geological Survey of India Lucknow Director Ayodhya Prasad Tapliyal, Hyderabad Director Shailendra Kumar, and the South Central Railway Division Mechanical Engineer Murali, among others.