Fri Feb 28 13:30:00 UTC 2025: **Telangana: Experts Highlight Challenges, Safety Concerns in Sri Sailam Left Bank Canal Tunnel Collapse**
Hyderabad, Telangana, Feb 28, 2025 – A partial collapse in the Sri Sailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel, one of the longest tunnels in India, has raised serious safety concerns among experts. Former Additional Director General of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Purushottam, and Colonel Parikshit Mehra, a tunneling expert from the Chandigarh Western Command, discussed the challenges of the rescue operation and the need for improved safety protocols in an interview with Andhra Jyothi.
The experts emphasized the unique complexity of the SLBC tunnel, noting its length and the absence of intermediate exits (adits). While acknowledging that tunnel collapses are not uncommon, they highlighted the specific difficulties presented by this incident, where the proximity of the collapsed section to the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) significantly hinders rescue efforts.
Purushottam and Mehra stated that predicting the exact duration of the rescue operation is impossible. The situation differs significantly from previous tunnel collapses, such as the one in Uttar Kashi’s Silkiara, where a considerable gap between the collapsed section and the TBM allowed for a more manageable rescue. In the SLBC incident, the lack of space and the presence of mud and debris directly atop the TBM complicates matters considerably. The rescue operation is expected to take several days, possibly up to a week, but the extent of the damage and the location of trapped workers needs further assessment.
To prevent future accidents, the experts strongly recommended the adoption of Tunnel Seismic Prediction (TSP) methods and the implementation of regular inspections within the tunnel. They also suggested creating adits to allow for easier access for emergency vehicles. The SLBC tunnel, described as a project of national importance, requires thorough geophysical testing and rigorous adherence to safety protocols to ensure its safe completion. The size and complexity of the SLBC tunnel, particularly as a water conveyance tunnel, are unprecedented, making future planning crucial.
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