Railway Deploys Metal-Cutting Specialists for Rescue Operation in Telangana Tunnel

Hyderabad, Feb 27: South Central Railway (SCR) has sent a team of metal-cutting specialists with the required machinery to clear debris from the collapsed Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel in Telangana. This rescue operation to save eight trapped workers has been ongoing for six days.

The Collector of Nagarkurnool district requested the help of SCR to clear steel and iron debris that were blocking the rescue efforts. In response, SCR quickly sent two teams of experts to assist in the operation.

The first team, led by S. Murali, Divisional Mechanical Engineer at SCR, includes one senior section engineer, 13 welders, and two technicians from Secunderabad, Lallaguda, and Rayanapadu workshops. They have arrived at the site and started clearing the debris.

The second team, consisting of one senior section engineer and four technicians, will also join the first group to support the operation.

SCR has brought special equipment, such as plasma cutting machines, Brocho cutting machines, and portable air compressors to assist in clearing the debris.

SCR is leading the efforts to clear the tunnel and speed up the rescue operation. The Army, Navy, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and other teams are also working to remove debris and silt from the tunnel.

Rescue workers are using plasma cutters to remove damaged parts of the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) and clear the path to the workers trapped inside. Efforts are also focused on ensuring the loco train reaches the end point, and the conveyor belt is operational.

Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, who is supervising the operation, mentioned that international experts are guiding the rescue strategy while advanced machinery and equipment are being used for the mission.