BRS blames Congress govt over SLBC tunnel collapse

He said despite warnings about water leakage, workers were pressured to continue works, leading to the disaster.

Hyderabad: Former Minister V Srinivas Goud blamed the Congress government for gross negligence in resuming the works at the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel, leading to its collapse where eight persons are trapped. He said despite warnings about water leakage, workers were pressured to continue works, leading to the disaster.

Addressing the mediapersons at Telangana Bhavan on Friday, Srinivas Goud questioned the Congress government on whether any preliminary examinations were carried out to ensure structural strength, before commencing the works. He demanded that if any, these reports should be released to the public. He also lambasted the government over inordinate delay in rescue operations.

"Even after six days, not an inch of soil has been removed, and the conveyor belt remains non-functional. The government is only engaging in nominal relief efforts while Ministers relax in guest houses," he said.

The BRS leader rubbished Minister Jupally Krishna Rao's misleading remarks that the previous BRS government did not take up any works at SLBC. "During the BRS regime, 12 km of the SLBC tunnel was constructed. Krishna Rao was also a Minister in the then BRS government. If we are wrong, we will quit politics. Will Jupally do the same?" he questioned.

He criticised Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy for failing to visit the accident site despite it being in his home district. "During the 15-month Congress rule, multiple irrigation projects collapsed. When Medigadda pillars developed cracks, Rahul Gandhi visited. Why has not he come now?" he asked.

Srinivas Goud charged the government of suppressing opposition voices, stating that cases were filed against former Minister T Harish Rao simply for questioning the rescue efforts. He asked why BRS leaders were being treated like extremists for speaking out and questioning the government.

Charging the government with misleading the public about the fate of the trapped workers, he held them fully responsible. "The contract agency's officials say the workers are dead, but the government insists they are alive. The Congress government is responsible for their safe return," he asserted.