Hyderabad, February 25, 2025 – A team of expert rat miners has begun assessing conditions inside the collapsed Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel in Telangana as part of intensified rescue efforts to save eight trapped workers. These specialists, known for their expertise in navigating confined and debris-filled spaces, arrived on Monday, with another team expected to join today.
Expert Team Led by Munna Qureshi Begins Operations
Led by Munna Qureshi, the rat miners have started evaluating the tunnel’s conditions to determine the safest approach for reaching the stranded workers. Mohammed Irshad Ansari, who played a key role in the Uttarakhand Silkyara tunnel rescue, confirmed their arrival and outlined the next steps.
“We have reached here and will first assess the situation inside before planning the operation. A six-member team has arrived now, and another six will join on Tuesday,” Ansari said.
Government Assures Maximum Efforts for Rescue
Telangana Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy assured that every possible effort was being made to rescue the trapped workers. Emphasizing his personal connection to the project, he stated, “This was my dream project—I fought for it because it will provide water to my constituency. We are doing everything to bring the workers to safety.”
The collapse occurred on Saturday at the 14-km inlet of the SLBC tunnel, which runs from Srisailam to Devarakonda. The incident was triggered by a slipped concrete segment used to seal seepage, causing the roof to cave in and trapping engineers and labourers inside.
Multi-Agency Rescue Operations Underway
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy is personally overseeing the rescue operation, with teams from the Indian Army, Navy, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) working in coordination to expedite efforts.
Meanwhile, the family members of four workers from Jharkhand, who are among the trapped individuals, have left for Telangana. The workers, all from Jharkhand’s Gumla district, are facing a tense wait for rescue.
“Under the leadership of the Gumla district administration, one member from each of the four families, along with a police officer, left for Telangana from Birsa Munda Airport,” the Jharkhand Chief Minister’s Office stated in a post on X.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has assured that state officials are in constant touch with their counterparts in Telangana for updates on the situation. “Regular reports are being sought about the progress of the rescue operations,” an official statement added.
With multiple rescue teams on the ground and expert miners working to navigate the collapsed tunnel, hopes remain high for a successful operation to bring all eight trapped workers to safety.
