SLBC Tunnel Rescue In Final Stages: Minister

A high-level review meeting was today convened at the SLBC tunnel incident site, attended by ministers Uttam Kumar Reddy and Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, MP Dr Mallu Ravi, Jadcherla MLA Anirudh Reddy, Setwin Chairman Giridhar Reddy, Special Chief Secretary for Disaster Management Arvind Kumar, Nagarkurnool Collector Badavath Santosh, SP Gaikwad Raghunath and TSSPDCL CMD Musharraf Ali.

The meeting focused on assessing the ongoing rescue operations and planning more interventions.

Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy said that following extensive field assessments over the past two days a concrete action plan had been finalised to prioritise the safety of both the rescuers and the survivors. He also said that the rescue operation would conclude within two days, with new strategies implemented including exploring alternative access routes such as side approaches and the main exit.

He added that the State government had intensified the rescue efforts, deploying elite forces, national agencies and advanced technology to ensure the swift and safe evacuation of the trapped workers. He said that specialized teams from 11 agencies including MARCOS, BRO, the Navy, the Army, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and rat miners and tunnel rescue experts were deployed to reach the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) where the workers had been trapped.

Reddy said that a significant obstacle in the rescue effort was the accumulation of muddy water that was obstructing access to the TBM, and that the government had intensified dewatering operations using advanced machinery to expedite water removal.

The minister expressed confidence that the involvement of MARCOS commandos, known for their expertise in extreme rescue missions, would significantly enhance the operation's effectiveness. He also indicated the potential engagement of international tunnel rescue specialists if additional technical expertise became necessary.

For the unversed, the tunnel collapse incident occurred five days ago, prompting the State government to mobilise all available resources and coordinate closely with specialized forces. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is reportedly overseeing the situation, ensuring that all critical agencies remain on-site until the workers are safely rescued. Efforts are also underway to provide essential oxygen and other life-support resources to the trapped workers while rescue teams work diligently to reach them as swiftly as possible.