Robots to Find 8 Trapped Workers in Telangana Tunnel Accident, Cost Estimated at ₹4 Crore
Hyderabad, 8 March – (www.deccanlive.com): In the Telangana tunnel accident, robots will now assist in the rescue efforts. State Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy has instructed officials to use robots for the rescue operation inside the partially collapsed Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel. The damaged tunnel boring machine’s debris poses a risk to rescue workers, prompting the minister’s decision. Eight workers have been trapped since February 22 after a part of the tunnel collapsed.
Minister Reddy visited the tunnel site and reviewed the ongoing rescue operation with officials from various organizations. He stated that the government will spend ₹4 crore on the rescue mission by utilizing the expertise of robot specialists.
An official release mentioned that the massive tunnel boring machine’s debris is mixed with water, mud, and rocks inside the tunnel, creating a hazard for the rescue team. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had visited the tunnel on March 2 and suggested that robots be used inside the tunnel if necessary to ensure the safety of rescue workers.
Challenges in the Rescue Operation
The Irrigation Minister described the tunnel collapse as a national disaster and stated that the government is determined to continue the rescue mission. However, the operation faces challenges due to low oxygen levels inside the tunnel, excessive water leakage, and large parts of the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) being buried in water and mud. The TBM inside the tunnel was damaged, and rescue teams are cutting through its parts to reach the trapped workers. The minister assured that the government fully supports the workers and officials involved in the rescue efforts. He also directed officials to use the world’s latest technology to locate the trapped individuals.
CM to Visit the Site Again
Special Chief Secretary Arvind Kumar and other officials monitoring the rescue operation updated the minister on its progress. The minister discussed the obstacles, reasons for delays, and steps taken to overcome challenges with officials from the National Geophysical Research Institute, rat-hole miners, robot experts, and others. He thanked the hardworking officials, experts, and workers and announced he would revisit the tunnel site on March 11. He added that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy would either visit the site or review the rescue operation in Hyderabad.
Assistance from Dog Squads
The rescue operation continues under challenging conditions, including mud and water leakage. Dog squads have identified two locations where the trapped individuals might be. Rescue teams are now removing mud from these spots. A dog squad from Kerala Police joined the operation on Friday morning. These dogs are trained to locate missing persons and bodies and can detect scents even from 15 feet deep. The dogs in the Kerala Police squad (Belgian Malinois breed) are highly skilled in such operations.
Eight people, including engineers and workers, have been trapped in the SLBC project tunnel since February 22. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indian Army, Navy, and other agencies are working tirelessly to safely rescue them.
