Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reached out to Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Sunday morning to inquire about the ongoing rescue operations at the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel, where several workers are feared trapped following a collapse.
During the nearly 20-minute phone call, CM Reddy briefed Gandhi on the swift response of the state government, which immediately dispatched Minister Uttam Reddy to the site after receiving the distressing news. He also highlighted the deployment of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams for the rescue operation.
The CM further explained the steps taken to provide medical assistance to the injured and efforts to reach out to the families of those trapped inside the tunnel. Rahul Gandhi expressed appreciation for the prompt action taken and emphasized the importance of leaving no stone unturned in efforts to save the trapped workers.
The office of Telangana Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy shared updates on the rescue operation, showing footage of NDRF and SDRF teams near the collapsed debris, calling out to the trapped workers in hopes of receiving a response. Despite their efforts, the exact location of the workers remains unconfirmed.
The rescue teams were heard shouting the names of workers like Manoj, Srinivas, and Dwivedi, who are feared to be among the trapped. The video also depicted water flowing inside the tunnel, which rescue officials are working to drain to facilitate the operation.
NDRF has intensified its efforts to reach the trapped workers and is currently advancing through the tunnel. However, debris blocking the area has made it challenging to determine the workers’ exact location. An NDRF official informed ANI that the team has already covered 13.5 kilometers inside the tunnel using locomotives, conveyor belts, and on foot. They managed to cover 11 kilometers by train and an additional 2 kilometers by walking and using the conveyor belt.
Additionally, the Indian Army’s Engineer Task Force and a Medical Detachment from the Field Hospital have been mobilized to assist in the rescue operation, equipped with water pumps and excavators.
Union Minister G. Kishen Reddy assured that the central government is closely monitoring the situation and providing all necessary support to the state authorities in the ongoing rescue efforts.
