Telangana Tunnel Rescue Operation Faces Increased Risk, Warns Australian Expert

Hyderabad: The ongoing rescue operation to save eight workers trapped inside a collapsed tunnel in Telangana has encountered significant challenges, with experts warning of increased risks. The collapse occurred on Saturday when workers were repairing a water leak in the proposed 44km-long tunnel. While most workers managed to escape, eight remain trapped with no contact since the incident.

Rising Concerns Over Stability

According to rescue officials, the situation has worsened due to a one-metre increase in the slush wall, now towering over eight metres. This unexpected development has forced authorities to reconsider their approach, as any further digging could endanger both the trapped workers and the rescue teams.

Chris Cooper, an Australian tunnel expert, has cautioned that the entire area remains unstable, making heavy-duty excavation highly dangerous. Additionally, reports indicate shifting boulders within the collapsed section, raising further concerns about another possible cave-in.

Massive Water Inflow Hampers Efforts

Rescue teams have reported that an estimated 3,200 litres of water per minute is flooding into the tunnel, mixing with debris, sand, and rock to form an increasingly unstable slush. Despite ongoing dewatering efforts, the continuous inflow complicates rescue operations. Experts believe this could be due to a fresh inflow from an unknown source or a gradual build-up of groundwater.

Rescue Teams and Equipment Deployed

A total of five specialized teams, including geologists and drone experts, have entered the tunnel so far. The latest team, led by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), reported significant risks due to the increasing slush. The following teams are actively involved in the rescue efforts:

• National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Army led the initial response.

• NHIDCL oversaw the third and fourth rescue attempts.

• Larsen & Toubro (L&T) teams have deployed endoscopic and robotic cameras to locate the trapped workers and establish communication.

• Gas cutters and small excavators have been sent into the tunnel to cut through metal obstructions and remove debris.

Geological Concerns and Potential Fault Lines

The Telangana government has sought assistance from the National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA) and the Geological Survey of India (GSI) to analyze fault lines at the collapse site. The findings will help assess the likelihood of a second collapse, which could pose a serious risk to the rescuers.

Hopes Fading for Survivors

Telangana Minister Jupally Krishna Rao has acknowledged that the chances of survival for the trapped workers are "very remote." The continuous influx of muck has significantly reduced their ability to find air pockets or move within the tunnel. However, he reassured that efforts would continue in consultation with experts to determine the safest course of action.

Meanwhile, specialized commando teams and rat-miners—who successfully rescued 41 workers from a collapsed Uttarakhand tunnel in 2023—have been put on standby.

History of the Telangana Tunnel Project

The tunnel project was first proposed in 1983 under Chief Minister NT Rama Rao but was only cleared in 2005. Excavation began in 2006, and by 2014, around 28 km had been completed. However, work was halted in 2019 for five years, only resuming recently.

Voices Heard, But No Contact Since Collapse

On Sunday, rescue officials released footage from inside the tunnel, where rescuers could be heard calling out names of the trapped workers. One rescuer reported faint noises, saying, "Some voices are coming..." However, there has been no official confirmation of contact since then.

The trapped workers hail from Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir. Their families and colleagues wait anxiously as rescue teams battle worsening conditions in their efforts to bring them home safely.

Authorities are expected to decide on the next steps based on expert recommendations, prioritizing safety while maintaining urgency in the search and rescue mission.