Why is the Telangana Government Failing to Recover Bodies from the Tunnel?
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Synopsis
In a shocking turn of events, K. T. Rama Rao has publicly criticized the Telangana government for its failure to recover bodies from the SLBC tunnel collapse. After three months of inaction, families of the deceased are still waiting for answers. This article delves into the details of the tragic incident and the government's response.
Key Takeaways
- K. T. Rama Rao criticizes Telangana government for incompetence.
- The Srisailam tunnel incident trapped eight workers; only two bodies found.
- Search efforts hampered by debris and water seepage.
- Multiple agencies involved in the ongoing rescue operation.
- Expert committee recommends continuing the search with safety measures.
Hyderabad, May 21 (NationPress) Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President K. T. Rama Rao expressed strong criticism towards the Congress-led government in Telangana for their inability to recover the deceased from the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel in Nagarkurnool district, even after a span of three months.
On February 22, a section of the tunnel's roof collapsed, trapping eight workers, with only two bodies being recovered so far.
Rama Rao took to X on Wednesday to call out the state government for its "incompetence".
“In a properly functioning government led by a capable leader, retrieving humans from Mars could have been achieved in three months. But under Congress, they couldn't even recover the bodies from the SLBC tunnel,” the former minister posted.
“Are you not embarrassed, Revanth Reddy? Despite all your grand statements and questionable timelines, your actions since February 22 have been practically non-existent,” KTR, as he is commonly known, wrote.
“At least show some compassion by issuing a condolence statement and meeting with the families of the deceased, Revanth Reddy. Any decent human being would have already taken such steps,” he added.
The tragic incident occurred approximately 14 km into the tunnel while around 50 workers were engaged in digging operations using a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM).
While eight workers were trapped under rubble, the rest managed to escape unharmed.
The bodies of Gurpreet Singh, a TBM operator from Punjab, and Manoj Kumar, the project manager from Uttar Pradesh, were recovered on March 9 and March 25, respectively.
However, Sri Niwas (UP), Sunny Singh (J&K), and Sandeep Sahu, Jegta Xess, Santosh Sahu, and Anuj Sahu, all hailing from Jharkhand, remain unaccounted for.
The search for these missing workers has faced significant challenges due to piles of debris, water seepage, and slush. The bodies are believed to be located within the final 50 meters of the tunnel at the collapse site, where debris has accumulated to the roof.
A wide array of agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), have been involved in the extensive rescue efforts.
Last month, the search operation was temporarily suspended. However, an expert committee recently determined that the search could resume with appropriate safety measures in place.
This committee, which includes representatives from the NDRF, NGRI, GSI, National Centre for Seismology, National Institute of Rock Mechanics, Border Roads Organisation (BRO), SDRF, and the Irrigation Department, has decided that the NGRI should conduct a comprehensive geophysical analysis of the area surrounding the collapsed section and both sides of the tunnel to assess the feasibility of further excavation using drill and blast techniques.
Point of View
It's imperative to highlight the urgency and empathy required in such dire situations. The families affected by the SLBC tunnel tragedy deserve swift action and transparency from the government. The criticism from K. T. Rama Rao underscores the need for accountability and humanitarian considerations in times of crisis.
NationPress
08/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the Srisailam tunnel collapse?
A section of the tunnel roof collapsed, trapping eight workers inside.
How many bodies have been recovered so far?
Only two bodies have been recovered so far, while six workers remain missing.
Which organizations are involved in the rescue operation?
The rescue operation involves multiple agencies, including the NDRF, SDRF, and SCCL.
What challenges are hindering the search for the missing workers?
Challenges include debris, water seepage, and slush, which have complicated the search efforts.
What has been the response from the Telangana government?
The government has faced criticism for its inaction and failure to recover the bodies despite the ongoing rescue efforts.
