SLBC tunnel rescue enters Day 5: What makes Telangana's operation 'most complex' and 'extremely dangerous'

8 workers trapped in Telangana tunnel collapse

It is the fifth day (on Wednesday) since eight persons have been trapped in the partially collapsed tunnel of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) project in Telangana. Continuous surge of silt and water into the tunnel at a very high speed makes it extremely dangerous — even for the rescuers.

Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy citing experts said that this is the "most complex and difficult tunnel rescue operation in the world or at least in India" as there is only one entry or exit to the SLBC tunnel. This is also world’s longest irrigation tunnel.

Top experts from the Army, Navy, NDRF, GSI and other agencies made relentless efforts to find a breakthrough in the collapsed SLBC tunnel rescue work on Tuesday amidst threat to the lives of rescuers.

Nagarkurnool District Collector B Santhosh said before taking any step forward, stability of the tunnel has been taken into consideration even as dewatering is going on. "As of now we are not able to communicate with them (trapped persons). We are taking the advice of the Geological survey of India and some other people. As of now we are dewatering and going forward. But for the last 40 or 50 meters we are not able to go. As of now we are taking the advice of GSI and NGRI. L& T experts have also come here," the collector said.

Details of rescue you should know

• There has been no contact with the trapped persons though oxygen is being pumped into the tunnel continuously.
• Total 11 agencies such as Indian Army, the Marine Commando Force (MARCOS) of Navy, NDRF, SDRF, GSI, Rat Miners and Singareni Collieries Company Ltd are working round the clock to save the eight lives.
• The collapse might have taken place due to a slight tectonic shift and as some geological fault lines have given way.
• To explore alternative approaches, experts are assessing the feasibility of drilling from the top and side of the tunnel while ensuring all necessary safety precautions.
• The state govt has held discussions with Border Security Force General Harpal Singh over phone to brief him on the SLBC incident and seek his expertise.
• A unified command control has been set up which is constantly being monitored by Special Chief Secretary Arvind Kumar.
• People are relentlessly working in the tunnel who are sending videos and pictures. They are being assessed by the experts.
• Rescue teams were able to go up to the tunnel boring machine (TBM). But, after the TBM, at a stretch of 40-50 meters, there is 4-5 meter height of sludge accumulation which was impeding further movement of the teams.
• With additional support and equipment, the team has again gone inside.

The political slugfest over the accident continued as BRS Working President K T Rama Rao sought a judicial probe into the incident, while Congress Lok Sabha member Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy dismissed the demand, stating that this is not the time for politics and that the focus should be on rescuing those trapped inside the tunnel.