Telangana CM Visits SLBC Tunnel Accident Site
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy visited the accident site at the Sri Sailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel near Domalapenta in Nagar Kurnool district. A mishap occurred during ongoing construction work, prompting rescue operations that have been underway for the past nine days. He was accompanied by ministers Uttam Kumar Reddy and Jupally Krishna Rao to inspect the situation.
Speaking to the media, Revanth Reddy expressed concern over the incident. He explained that the Congress government had resumed work on the SLBC project immediately after coming to power. The project had been neglected for ten years due to a lack of funds and power supply issues. After restarting the work, the government cleared pending bills, consulted technical experts, and even procured spare parts from the United States to ensure smooth progress.
The Chief Minister reaffirmed his commitment to solving Nalgonda district’s water crisis. He stated that the government was working with dedication when the unexpected accident took place. He urged political parties to set aside their differences and support affected families and rescue teams. “In times of disaster, we must unite, whether in government or opposition, to ensure relief and recovery,” he emphasized.
Revanth Reddy highlighted that 11 teams, including experts from the Indian Army and tunnel specialists, were actively working on the rescue operation. He appreciated their efforts but admitted that there was still no clear information about the condition of the eight trapped workers. Authorities estimate that it may take another two to three days to resolve the crisis.
The rescue efforts have faced challenges, especially due to the failure of the conveyor belt, which has made debris removal difficult. “If the conveyor belt is repaired by tomorrow, the process of clearing the mud will become much easier,” the CM explained.
He also instructed officials to explore using robotic technology if needed. “This is one of the largest tunnels in the world. We remain determined to complete the project while ensuring the safety of those involved. The state government is committed to overcoming this challenge with resilience and dedication,” he assured.
The SLBC tunnel project, which aims to solve Telangana’s water problems, has now turned into a site of intense rescue efforts. Officials are racing against time to bring the trapped workers to safety.
