At least six workers were feared trapped after a section of a roof collapsed in the under-construction stretch of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) in Nagarkurnool district of Telangana on Saturday.
A senior police official told PTI that six to eight workers are feared trapped, according to information given by the company engaged in the work.
“The incident occurred when some workers had gone inside as part of the work when the roof collapsed at 12-13 km inside the tunnel,” the official said.
Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy expressed shock over the. According to ANI, a statement by his office said that the CM alerted officials soon after receiving information about the collapse of the roof at the tunnel.
However, the press release, without a number, indicated that some persons suffered injuries.
The CM has also directed the district collector, superintendent of police, fire services department, Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) and irrigation officials to rush to the spot and take relief measures immediately.
Irrigation minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, advisor Adityanath Das and other irrigation officials have left for the accident site in a special helicopter, on the instructions of the CM.
Union coal minister G Kishan Reddy also expressed concern over the accident. According to a release from his office, he has directed officials to bring those feared trapped to safety and to treat the injured.
Meanwhile, BRS working president KT Rama Rao criticised CM Reddy over the incident, saying that the latter should take responsibility for the accident.
“The state Chief Minister Revanth Reddy should take full responsibility for the accident at the SLBC tunnel. The fact that another tragedy occurred in the state before the incident of the retaining wall collapse in Sunkishala is a testament to the failure of the Congress government,” KTR said in a post on X.
He also claimed that such accidents happen due to collusion with contractors and evasion by supervisors.
“Such a series of incidents is happening due to the collusion with contractors, the evasion of supervision in the hunt for commissions, and the complete compromise on quality standards. If anyone is trapped inside in this roof collapse incident, rescue operations should be carried out on a war footing to bring them out safely,” his post added.