Political Tensions Rise Over SLBC Tunnel Rescue Efforts
Rescue teams are working hard to clear obstacles and save eight people trapped inside the SLBC tunnel. Meanwhile, political tensions have escalated, with the opposition party, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), accusing the state government of not taking enough action. On Thursday, BRS leaders staged protests, demanding a more urgent response.
BRS legislator T Harish Rao and other party members sought permission to visit the accident site. Initially, the police denied their request, leading the leaders to stage a sit-in protest on the road. After some time, authorities allowed six BRS leaders to visit the tunnel.
Speaking to the media, Harish Rao criticized the state government, claiming that no serious rescue efforts had been made in the past six days. However, Minister for Irrigation N Uttam Kumar Reddy rejected these accusations. He argued that the opposition had no moral right to question the government’s commitment, stating that the BRS had never allowed Congress leaders to visit similar sites when they were in power.
Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy explained that access to the tunnel was restricted to ensure smooth rescue operations. He blamed the previous BRS government for neglecting the SLBC project for a decade, which could have provided water for thousands of acres of farmland in Nalgonda. He also dismissed Harish Rao’s criticism, stressing that highly experienced professionals were handling the situation. “Does he think he knows more than tunnel engineers, the Indian Army, and Navy commandos?” he asked.
Despite the political disputes, rescue operations continue with full effort. Uttam Kumar Reddy assured that the rescue mission would be completed within two days. He also promised that work on the SLBC project would resume and be completed within the next two to three months. Experts from national and international agencies are assisting in the effort, and the tunnel boring machine stuck inside will be dismantled and removed using gas cutters.
