A major accident struck the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel project today when a portion of the tunnel roof collapsed near Domalapenta, Nagar Kurnool district, leaving several workers trapped inside. The incident occurred in a 14-kilometer stretch of the tunnel at Amrabad, where 50 workers were reportedly present at the time of the collapse.
Authorities have informed that 42 workers have been rescued safely, while eight workers remain trapped. Rescue operations are in full swing, with two National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams from Hyderabad and Vijayawada, along with State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) personnel, deployed at the site.
Responding to the crisis, Telangana Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy, Irrigation Advisor Aditya Nath Das, IG Satyanarayana, and Fire Services DG G.V. Narayana Rao arrived at the accident site via helicopter to oversee rescue efforts. District officials, including the Collector, SP, and disaster response teams, have also been deployed to manage the situation.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has expressed shock over the incident and directed officials to expedite relief efforts. In a statement, the Telangana CMO confirmed that the CM instructed immediate mobilization of district administration, fire department, and irrigation authorities to the site. The state government has assured all possible measures to rescue the remaining trapped workers.
ఎస్ఎల్బీసీ టన్నెల్ వద్ద జరిగిన ప్రమాదంపై ముఖ్యమంత్రి ఎ. రేవంత్ రెడ్డి గారు దిగ్భ్రాంతి వ్యక్తం చేశారు. టన్నెల్ వద్ద పైకప్పు కూలి పలువురికి గాయాలైన సమాచారం అందిన వెంటనే ముఖ్యమంత్రి గారు అధికారులను అప్రమత్తం చేశారు. జిల్లా కలెక్టర్, ఎస్పీ, అగ్నిమాపక శాఖ, హైడ్రా, ఇరిగేషన్ విభాగం…
— Telangana CMO (@TelanganaCMO) February 22, 2025
The SLBC project, first proposed in 1983 but initiated only in 2006, is a crucial irrigation project aimed at providing water to 2.20 lakh acres through the high-level canal and 50,000 acres through the low-level canal. However, the project has faced continuous delays and remains incomplete, raising concerns over its execution and safety standards.
