Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy stated that the rescue operation to save workers trapped in the SLBC tunnel is ongoing, with expert teams leading the efforts. Speaking at the site, he assured that debris removal is being expedited and that the operation would be completed within three days. He further announced that tunnel construction work would resume within the next two to three months.
Negligence of Previous Government Led to Incident: Uttam Kumar Reddy
Blaming the previous BRS government for the disaster, Uttam Kumar Reddy alleged that it failed to provide even basic electricity for water dewatering, contributing to the tunnel collapse. He dismissed BRS leader Harish Rao’s remarks, stating that experienced experts are handling the rescue operation and that his advice is unnecessary.
He accused the BRS government of mismanaging the irrigation sector, questioning why projects like Devadula and Sitarama were left incomplete. He also refuted recent statements by Harish Rao, Niranjan Reddy, and Jagadish Reddy, calling them baseless.
READ MORE : Harish Rao Slams Congress Government Over Infrastructure Failures, SLBC Tunnel Tragedy
Criticism of BRS Government’s Past Failures
The minister accused the BRS government of restricting access to accident sites during its tenure. He claimed that projects worth Rs 1.81 lakh crore, built under the previous administration, have become ineffective.
Recalling past incidents, he stated that when a fire accident occurred at the Srisailam Left Bank Hydel Project, Revanth Reddy, then an opposition leader, was prevented from visiting the site. He further alleged that the BRS government failed to respond to multiple tragedies, including the deaths of six workers in the Kaleshwaram project, another six in the Palamuru-Rangareddy project due to a pump failure, and 25 children near KCR’s farmhouse. Additionally, he criticized the previous government for not providing assistance to families affected by the Kondagattu bus accident, which claimed 64 lives.
ALSO READ: After Posani’s Arrest, Speculation Grows Over Roja’s Possible Legal Trouble