A Night View of the Srist Left Bank Canal (SLBC) Tunnel in Domalpenta, Naarkurkunool, which is part of which collapsed on Saturday (February 22, 2025). | Photo credit: Nagara Gopal
A part of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) of Alimineti Madhava Reddy project collapsed on Saturday (February 22, 2025) trapping eight people. Rescue efforts by multiple Central, State and other organisations are part of the rescue operation. An agreement to build the SLBC tunnel was made in 2005 during the regime of late Y.S. Rajashekar Reddy. This is also World’s longest irrigation tunnel. Here are details of the tunnel, its potential uses, how did it collapse and rescue operation underway.
Also read: Telangana tunnel collapse LIVE
Where is it being constructed?
On the left bank of the Srisailam Reservoir in Telangana
Why is it being constructed?
The tunnel would draw 30 tmc ft of water to irrigate four-lakh acres in Nalgonda and Khammam district
How long is it?
It stretches for 44 kms from Srisailam to Devarakonda. Works on 35 kilometers is already completed. It has a height of 30.7 feet after completion (lining of the tunnel). After the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) drills, 360 degrees of the tunnel is lined with prefabricated cement blocks to prevent collapse, seepage. The tunnel is 400 metres below the Amrabad Tiger Reserve.
How did it collapse?
Glen, the project manager of the USA based The Robbins Company – which is world renowned for providing Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM) – was leading the work on the fateful day. Quoting Mr. Glen, Telangana Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said that 70 personnel including engineers all got into the tunnel as usual at 8 a.m. of Saturday (February 22, 2025).
“While a couple of personnel were in the front, the rest were behind. A small leak was noticed which the site engineers found not very unusual. While working in such huge projects, these small leaks are always visible and the work goes on,” Mr. Glen was quoted as telling the Minister.
However, disaster struck as there was a sudden gush of water and slush with such force that the machine was pushed back leaving the workers running for their lives. Eight persons, who were close to the point where a gaping hole occurred, could not rush out.
At which point did the accident occur?
The accident took place after 13.9 km from the tunnel mouth from Srisailam side
Who is trapped?
The eight persons trapped inside the tunnel are Manoj Kumar (project engineer of the agency), Sri Niwas (site engineer of the agency), Sandeep Sahu, Jagta Xess, Santosh Sahu, Anuj Sahu – all daily wagers engaged by the agency Jayaprakash Associates. The first two are from Uttar Pradesh and the rest from Jharkhand. Two others belonging to another agency Robbins India handling the tunnel boring machine (TBM) and its supporting machinery, Sunny Singh and Gurpreet Singh, are also trapped inside. They are from Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab, respectively.
Where are the rescue teams struggling?
Treading the last 150 meters proved to be a herculean task as the slush piled up for 6 to 7 ft height on the tunnel floor. Further, the constant seepage of water and accumulation of slush and debris – including boulders – were stated to be making the task of rescue teams difficult.
Who is involved in the rescue operation?
Indian Army, Indian Navy, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA).
(Inputs from Ravi Reddy, B. Chandrashekhar and P. Laxma Reddy)
Published – February 24, 2025 05:12 pm IST
