Telangana’s Excise Minister, Jupally Krishna Rao, confirmed on Saturday that authorities have located four of the eight workers trapped inside the collapsed Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel.
Rescue teams are currently working to cut through the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) in an effort to reach them. Officials are using radar technology to identify the workers’ locations.
Speaking to reporters at the site, Minister Krishna Rao said, “Through radar technology, we have identified the location of four workers. We are hopeful that we will be able to extricate them by Sunday evening.”
However, the remaining four workers are believed to be stuck beneath the TBM, making the rescue operation even more difficult. The minister acknowledged the tough situation, noting that survival chances were slim. Despite this, the latest breakthrough is a crucial step after nearly a week of rescue efforts.
Minister Krishna Rao and Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy shared this update during a meeting with officials overseeing the rescue. The operation involves 11 specialized agencies due to the dangerous conditions inside the tunnel, including slush and debris.
Since the collapse on February 22, eight workers, including engineers and laborers, have been trapped. Experts and rescue teams are working tirelessly to ensure their safety. Every step requires extreme caution due to the hazardous environment.
In response to criticism from opposition parties about delays, Krishna Rao defended the rescue teams. He emphasized that the operation is being handled by experts and that the complexity of the situation makes the process slow and challenging.
