Delhi, 23 February (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday spoke to Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy regarding the ongoing rescue efforts at the SLBC tunnel, where eight workers are trapped following a roof collapse near Domalapenta in Nagar Kurnool district. The Prime Minister assured the Chief Minister of full assistance from the Central government in the rescue operations.

The CM told PM Modi that ministers N Uttam Kumar Reddy and Jupalli Krishna Rao are closely monitoring the rescue operations at the spot.

The PM assured CM Revanth that the NDRF team will be deployed immediately for rescue operations and assured the central government's full support to the Telangana govt in rescue operations.

The Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel's portion collapsed under the Eegalapenta police station limits in the Nagarkurnool district. The incident occurred while approximately 50 workers were engaged in work inside the tunnel. According to police, several workers managed to escape immediately after the collapse. However, eight workers were feared trapped.

The Telangana government has roped in a 19-member team from state owned coal mining firm, Singareni Collieries Company Ltd., to join rescue operations to extract workers who are feared trapped.

The ventilation system inside the tunnel remains functional, ensuring oxygen supply to the trapped workers, Reddy wrote on X.

“Ambulances and medical teams had been placed on high alert, with doctors ready to provide emergency care”,said Red Dy.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar