Another worker’s body recovered from SLBC tunnel in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool

Hyderabad: Another body has been recovered from the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel in Telangana's Nagarkurnool district, bringing the total number of bodies recovered to two. The body was found about 50 meters from the conveyor belt during excavation efforts with a mini excavator.

Rescue teams swiftly began the process of retrieving the body. Authorities noted that identifying the deceased might take some time. Search operations are ongoing to locate the remaining six missing workers.

On March 24, 2025, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy directed authorities to continue rescue operations to recover the workers trapped in the SLBC tunnel following the accident. He also directed to appoint IAS officer Shivashankar as the special officer to closely monitor the rescue efforts.

On Monday, the Chief Minister reviewed the progress of the rescue operations during a meeting in the Assembly Committee Hall. The meeting was attended by Ministers Uttam Kumar Reddy, Jupally Krishna Rao, Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, Chief Secretary Shanti Kumari, and senior officials.

Aravind Kumar, Special Chief Secretary of the Disaster Management Department, and Colonel Parikshith Mehra provided updates on the ongoing operations. They reported that 25 agencies, including central and state government departments and private companies, are involved in the rescue efforts, with 700 personnel currently at the site.

The operation involves removing rocks and parts of the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) through welding and clearing accumulated soil, rocks, debris, silt, and water. Officials explained that the rescue site is 14 kilometers inside the tunnel, with difficult conditions due to low air and light levels. A 30-meter area around the accident site has been identified as the most hazardous zone.

The Chief Minister highlighted the need to prioritize locating the remaining missing workers and instructed authorities to seek all necessary permissions from the central government for urgent operations.

The SLBC tunnel accident, which occurred on February 22, trapped eight workers. The first body, identified as Gurpreet Singh, was recovered on March 9. The Chief Minister directed that efforts continue to identify the remaining workers and follow expert recommendations in the rescue operations.

The ongoing operation has also seen the involvement of robotic teams, with experts from Hyderabad-based Anvi Robo joining the rescue efforts. The use of robots has been crucial due to the challenging conditions inside the tunnel, including continuous water seepage and slush. This technology is helping safeguard rescue personnel while they search for the remaining workers.

Earlier, Gurpreet Singh's body, a tunnel boring machine operator employed by a foreign company, was recovered after a 48-hour search, with assistance from cadaver dogs. Singh’s body was identified through an earring and a tattoo, as it was buried under 10 feet of silt and decomposed beyond recognition.

Rescue teams continue their efforts to locate and recover the remaining trapped workers.