Search Operations continue for 21st Day in Telangana tunnel collapse incident

The search for seven individuals trapped inside the partially collapsed SLBC tunnel in Telangana entered its 21st day on Friday. The operation to locate the missing workers remains in full swing, with multiple agencies working tirelessly to uncover new leads.

On Friday morning, personnel from various organisations, including state-run miner Singareni Collieries and specialised rat miners, entered the tunnel with necessary equipment to continue the excavation efforts. The search is focused on specific points inside the tunnel that have been identified as potential locations where the workers may be trapped.

As part of the ongoing operation, Kerala’s Human Remains Detection Dogs (HRDD) were deployed on Thursday to assist in locating the missing persons. Additionally, robots from a Hyderabad-based robotics company are playing a crucial role in the operation. These advanced robots are capable of reaching hazardous areas inside the tunnel that are inaccessible to humans, offering up to 15 times greater efficiency in their work, according to officials.

The operation is being conducted 24/7, with teams working on de-watering efforts and carefully navigating the tunnel to avoid further risks. Along with the HRDD, personnel from the Army, NDRF, SDRF, Singareni Collieries, and the robotics team have been involved in the relentless search.

On 9 March, the body of Gurpreet Singh, a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) operator, was recovered and later handed over to his family in Punjab. The missing workers still include Manoj Kumar (Uttar Pradesh), Sunny Singh (Jammu & Kashmir), Gurpreet Singh (Punjab), and Sandeep Sahu, Jegta Xess, and Anuj Sahu from Jharkhand.

These eight individuals, who were part of a team of engineers and labourers, became trapped when a section of the tunnel collapsed on 22 February. The search operation continues as authorities remain hopeful that the remaining missing workers will be located soon.