February 25, 2025: The rescue operation at the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel collapse site in Telangana has intensified with the arrival of specialist rat miners—experts in navigating confined spaces during tunnel rescues.

A six-member team of these skilled workers reached Hyderabad on Monday, while another six are expected to join today to aid in efforts to save the eight workers trapped inside the collapsed tunnel.

The rat miner team, led by Munna Qureshi, has begun assessing the conditions inside the tunnel. Their expertise is crucial in navigating through the debris and creating a path to reach the stranded workers.

Speaking about their role in the operation, Mohammed Irshad Ansari, a veteran of the Uttarakhand Silkyara tunnel rescue, confirmed their arrival. "We have reached here and will first assess the situation inside before planning the operation. A six-member team has arrived now, and another six will join tomorrow," he stated.

Telangana Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy assured that all possible measures were being taken to bring the trapped workers to safety. Highlighting his personal connection to the project, he said, "We are doing everything possible to rescue the eight stranded workers. This was my dream project—I fought for it because it will provide water to my constituency."

The collapse occurred on Saturday at the 14-km inlet of the SLBC tunnel, which runs from Srisailam to Devarakonda. The cave-in was triggered by a slipped concrete segment, used to seal seepage, which caused the roof to collapse, trapping engineers and labourers inside.

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has been personally overseeing the rescue operation, with teams from the Indian Army, Navy, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) working together to accelerate the rescue efforts.

Authorities remain hopeful as specialist teams continue their mission to reach and rescue the trapped workers safely.