* Location of persons trapped inside SLBC tunnel not known yet

Rescue personnel are not able to come to a full understanding on where the humans and the machinery got stuck. They have a preliminary estimation but not fully Revanth Reddy Chief Minister

metro india news  I hyderabad

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy instructed the authorities to use robots technology for the ongoing rescue operation of Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel collapse, if needed.    

Speaking with media persons at a press conference after reviewing the rescue operations of SLBC tunnel on Sunday evening, CM said “Our government has been monitoring the rescue operation since day one of the incident. As a team leader, I am monitoring the situation and Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy sent to the site and he has done a great job, by pooling many rescue teams to trace the trapped men at the canal.”

CM said the location of eight persons trapped inside the partially collapsed tunnel of the SLBC project is not known yet exactly and that the government is making efforts to expedite the rescue operation. CM said the conveyor belt which would help in carrying silt is expected to be restored by Monday.

"Rescue personnel are not able to come to a full understanding on where the humans and the machinery got stuck. They have a preliminary estimation but not fully," he said. He said the government suggested to officials leading the rescue operation to use robots inside the tunnel, if necessary, to avoid any danger to the rescue personnel. The government is determined to resolve the issue and is also ready to support the families who suffered due to the accident, he said.

CM blamed the BRS government for neglecting the SLBC tunnel works and said “The previous government did not release the funds to the tunnel works company. Moreover, the company did not pay the electricity dues and the electricity was stopped. Due to the lack of electricity, tunnel work has stopped everywhere. As soon as the Congress came to power, it took steps to complete the works of this prestigious project.”

“We paid the bills to the company, discussed with the technical experts and solved the problems. We have brought spare parts from America for Missionary and started the pending works at the tunnel to give the permanent solution to the Nalgonda water problem. Accidently tunnel roof collapsed and eight workers trapped under it,” CM said.

CM said all the political parties should come as unity to solve this kind of accident and we all should show sympathy to the affected families and support them in this difficult situation. CM appealed the opposition party leaders to stand together and work towards solving the problem. We will complete the project along with supporting the families of those involved in the accident. We have determined to solve this problem, said CM.