SLBC Tunnel Collapse Rescue Continues as Workers Refuse Re-entry
On the morning of February 10th, a devastating tunnel collapse occurred at the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) Tunnel project in Telangana, causing widespread panic and chaos. The incident has left eight workers trapped inside the tunnel, and rescue efforts are still ongoing to save their lives. However, the workers who witnessed the disaster have refused to re-enter the tunnel, citing safety concerns.
The SLBC Tunnel project is a major infrastructure development initiative aimed at providing a reliable water supply to the districts of Nalgonda, Suryapet, and Bhongir. The project involves constructing a 12-kilometer-long tunnel to divert water from the Srisailam reservoir to the proposed pumping station. Despite the project’s significance, the recent collapse has raised serious concerns about the safety and quality of the construction work.
According to eyewitnesses, the tunnel collapse occurred at around 11:30 am when a section of the tunnel’s roof gave way, trapping the workers inside. The incident was followed by a series of loud noises and vibrations, which sent shockwaves through the surrounding area. The workers who managed to escape the tunnel described the experience as “terrifying” and “horrifying”.
“I was working at the site when the collapse occurred. I was lucky to escape with my life, but I saw my colleagues getting trapped inside. The noise was deafening, and I could see the dust and debris raining down on us. It was a nightmare,” said one of the workers who witnessed the disaster.
Rescue efforts are being led by a team of experts from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Telangana State Disaster Response and Fire Services Department, and the Indian Army. The rescue team has been working tirelessly to reach the trapped workers, but the process has been slow and challenging due to the complexity of the tunnel’s structure and the presence of hazardous gases.
Despite the mounting pressure to rescue the trapped workers, the workers who witnessed the disaster have refused to re-enter the tunnel. They claim that the tunnel is not safe for them to return to, citing concerns about the stability of the structure and the risk of further collapses.
“We are not going back into the tunnel until it is made safe for us. We are not willing to take any more risks with our lives. The authorities should take responsibility for this disaster and ensure that the tunnel is made safe before we return,” said another worker who witnessed the collapse.
The incident has raised serious questions about the safety and quality of the construction work on the SLBC Tunnel project. The authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the collapse, but the results are yet to be announced.
In the meantime, the workers who were trapped inside the tunnel are still waiting for rescue. The families of the trapped workers are anxiously waiting for news of their loved ones, and the community is coming together to support them.
As the rescue efforts continue, it is crucial that the authorities take the concerns of the workers seriously and take immediate action to make the tunnel safe for them to return. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety and quality in construction projects, and it is essential that lessons are learned from this tragedy to prevent similar incidents in the future.
