SLBC Tunnel Collapse: Several Workers Feared Trapped As Section of Roof of Under Construction Srisailam Left Bank Canal Collapses in Telangana

At least six workers were feared trapped when a section of a roof collapsed in the under-construction stretch of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) in the Nagarkurnool district of Telangana on Saturday, February 22. The construction company's team has gone inside for assessment and it is verifying.

A senior police official told the news agency PTI that six to eight workers are feared trapped, according to information given by the company engaged in the work. The incident occurred when some workers had gone inside as part of the work when the roof collapsed 12-13 km inside the tunnel.

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed deep shock over a mishap at the SLBC tunnel. The Chief Minister alerted the officials soon after receiving information about the collapse of  the roof at the tunnel and injured many people. The CM ordered district Collector, SP , Fire Services department, HYDRAA and Irrigation officials to rush to the spot and take up relief measures immediately. 

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However, a press release from the Chief Minister's office, without putting a number, indicated that some persons suffered injuries. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy directed the District Collector, Superintendent of Police and other officials to reach the place of the accident to carry out relief measures, it said.

As per the directives of Chief Minister, state Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, government adviser on irrigation Adityanath Das and other irrigation officials left for the spot in a special helicopter, it said. Expressing concern over the accident, Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy enquired about the reasons for it and asked officials to bring out those feared trapped to safety. He also told the officials to provide treatment to the injured (if any), a release from his office said.