SLBC Collapse: Harish Rao Slams Govt

Nagarkurnool, Telangana — April 13, 2025*

Fifty days have passed since the catastrophic collapse of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district, and the anguish of the families of the trapped workers continues to deepen. With six of the eight workers still missing, frustration is mounting over what many are calling a failure of both engineering and governance.

The tragic incident unfolded on *February 22, 2025, when a section of the tunnel's roof caved in roughly 12 to 13 kilometers from the Domalapenta entrance. Despite initial mobilization of over **700 personnel, including units from the **Indian Army, Navy, and **NDRF*, the rescue mission has been plagued by waterlogging, silt accumulation, and repeated safety hazards. Only two bodies have been recovered so far.

Families of the trapped workers have been staging a persistent sit-in near the tunnel site, voicing their grief and fury. “We were promised answers. We were promised rescue. Instead, we’ve been given silence,” said Ramakrishna, whose brother remains trapped inside. “The government has failed us.”

Opposition leaders have taken the government to task. Senior BRS leader *T. Harish Rao* delivered a scathing criticism of the *Congress-led state government*, accusing it of criminal negligence. “Fifty days, and they still have no plan, no progress, and no accountability,” Rao said at a press conference in Hyderabad. “The collapse is not just a structural failure—it’s a moral one. The Congress government must answer for its apathy.”

Rao echoed *KT Rama Rao (KTR)*, who earlier demanded a judicial probe into the incident, citing “compromised quality standards” and a “lack of engineering oversight.” Both leaders called for an independent investigation into the contractor's role and the failure of safety protocols.

Chief Minister *Revanth Reddy*, under increasing pressure, has reiterated his government’s commitment to the rescue efforts, but critics argue that his statements are falling flat. “The CM's assurances are hollow without visible action,” said an NDRF official on condition of anonymity. “Coordination among agencies has been poor, and the rescue plan keeps shifting.”

For the families, each passing day brings fresh anguish. Many have left their jobs and homes to remain at the site, clinging to hope even as it dwindles. “We don't want compensation,” said Farzana Begum, wife of one of the missing workers. “We want our people back—alive or at least with dignity.”

The SLBC tunnel collapse has become a flashpoint in Telangana politics and a glaring indictment of disaster preparedness in the state. As demands for accountability grow louder, what remains buried—along with the workers—are the promises of a government that has yet to deliver.