Hopes Dwindle as Search Continues for Workers Trapped in Nagarkurnool Tunnel Collapse

Nagarkurnool- The search for eight workers trapped inside a collapsed tunnel in Nagarkurnool district, Telangana, entered its third day on Monday, with diminishing prospects of finding survivors. The incident occurred at the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) construction site, where a section of the tunnel gave way on Saturday.

Multiple rescue agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Army, and specialized teams, are working tirelessly at the site. The Indian Air Force and Navy are deploying three helicopters from Visakhapatnam to support the operation.

Despite reaching the tunnel boring machine at the 14-kilometer mark, rescue teams face significant challenges. Extensive debris and approximately two kilometers of flooding have complicated the efforts of over 300 rescue personnel. Teams are utilizing heavy pumps for water removal, while also dealing with technical difficulties after a locomotive meant for tunnel access broke down at the 11-kilometer point.

The trapped individuals include two engineers and two machine operators, with workers hailing from various states including Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir. Among those trapped are:

- Project manager Manoj Kumar from Uttar Pradesh

- Machine engineer Srinivas, also from Uttar Pradesh

- Machine operators Sunny Singh from Jammu & Kashmir and Gurpreet Singh from Punjab

- Four workers from Jharkhand: Sandeep Sahu, Santosh Sahu, Anju Sahu, and Jagta Khes

State ministers Uttam Kumar Reddy and Jupally Krishna Rao are personally overseeing the rescue operation. Minister Krishna Rao expressed concern after visiting the site, noting the absence of any sounds from within the tunnel, though oxygen supply continues to be maintained. The rescue team is exploring alternative approaches, including the possibility of accessing the trapped workers by excavating from above the tunnel.

The incident occurred during construction work that had recently resumed on this long-delayed project. Fifty workers were initially inside when the tunnel's roof collapsed across a three-meter section. While 42 workers managed to escape, eight remained trapped, with two others sustaining injuries.

The disaster has highlighted the risks associated with large-scale infrastructure projects and has drawn national attention as multiple agencies coordinate in this critical rescue mission.