The operation to rescue eight trapped persons in a partially collapsed tunnel in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district entered the final stage on Saturday. The government refuting reports of bodies being found. Ambulances were kept ready near the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel amid intensified desilting and machine-cutting operations by multiple rescue teams. Two workers were injured and eight others trapped when a portion of the tunnel roof collapsed on February 22 at the 14th km point. The trapped persons have been identified as Manoj Kumar, Sri Niwas, Sunny Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Sandeep Sahu, Jegta Xess, Santosh Sahu and Anuj Sahau, all from Jharkhand. They were employed by Jaiprakash Associates, the contracting firm for the tunnel project. The necessary rescue equipment is being kept ready to ensure swift operations. The conveyor belt will be brought into use as soon as possible, and excavators have been prepared to remove the sludge. The authorities are implementing a well-structured plan, utilising advanced technology. The water inside the accident site is being pumped out, and debris is being cleared using plasma gas cutters, officials said.
