GUWAHATI: Rescue operations are currently underway to save workers and engineers trapped inside the Srisailam Left Bank Canal Tunnel in Telangana, drawing parallels to the recent coal mine disaster in Assam. The incident took place on Saturday, February 22, as the tunnel’s roof collapsed at around 8:30 AM.
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According to sources, authorities believe that the trapped workers in Telangana are just 100 metres away from rescue teams, but the final stretch has remained inaccessible, making the operation difficult.
Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma has been closely monitoring the situation, while Ministers N Uttam Kumar Reddy and Jupally Krishna Rao ventured into the tunnel for an on-ground assessment. Their evaluation is expected to take at least four hours.
Specialised teams from the Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and Singareni Collieries have also been deployed. Equipped with advanced machinery and three helicopters, they are working to navigate the last precarious section of the tunnel. Over 14 km have been covered, but concerns remain that any further excavation could trigger another collapse.
The Irrigation Department, meanwhile, is exploring alternative approaches, including drilling through 400 metres of overburden or opening the tunnel from different angles. If direct access remains blocked, drilling operations could commence overnight.
This crisis comes weeks after nine miners lost their lives in an illegal coal mine in Umrangso, Assam. The incident, which occurred on January 6, was caused by sudden flooding, trapping the miners with no time to escape.
Rescue operations in Assam were delayed due to heavy rain and treacherous terrain, but teams from the NDRF, SDRF, and Indian Army worked tirelessly for over one-and-a-half months to recover all bodies. The tragedy exposed unsafe mining practices and lack of safety measures, leading the Gauhati High Court to demand a detailed response on illegal mining activities in Assam.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma personally monitored the situation, seeking Army assistance for rescue operations. The state government also provided ₹10 lakh in ex-gratia compensation to the families of the deceased miners.