SLBC tunnel mishap: Telangana HC concludes hearing on PIL

National Union for Migrant Workers urges the court to direct authorities to expedite rescue efforts, ensure safe working conditions in hazardous environments

Hyderabad: A two-judge bench of Telangana High Court comprising Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yara on Monday took up a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the National Union for Migrant Workers, seeking immediate action to rescue eight workers trapped inside the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel.

The PIL urged the court to direct authorities to expedite rescue efforts, ensure safe working conditions in hazardous environments, and mandate fair remuneration for workers engaged in high-risk occupations.

---

During the hearing, Telangana Advocate General A Sudarshan Reddy, appearing for the State government, apprised the court that multiple rescue teams including those from the Army, the Singareni rescue team, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were actively engaged in rescue operations round the clock. He assured the bench that the government was monitoring the situation closely and taking all necessary measures to safely extract the trapped workers.

The court, after hearing the submissions, took cognizance of the ongoing rescue operations and noted the State’s responsibility in ensuring workers’ safety. The bench took note of the details presented by the Advocate General and concluded the hearing on the PIL.