Telangana Tunnel Collapse: High Court Closes PIL To Rescue 8 Trapped Workers After State Gives Assurance

The Telangana High Court on Monday (March 3) closed proceedings in a PIL petition praying that the State takes all necessary and immediate steps to remove 8 workers who are stated to be trapped in the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) Tunnel in Nagarkurnool.

A Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yara closed the matter owing to the reassurance given by the Advocate General appearing for the State. 

The Advocate General had assured the Bench that all expert teams including National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Indian Army, Navy, Border Roads Organisation, Singareni Collieries, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HYDRAA), and rat miners had been deployed to the site along with all the resources to ensure a successful rescue mission.

That, the rescue mission was being supervised by the Chief Minister himself, along with the entire State Cabinet, who have also visited the incident site, he said. 

“We are leaving no stone unturned,” assured the AG.

The petitioner–National Union for Migrant Workers, however, was not satisfied, and argued that this incident just brings to light the treacherous conditions workers are subjected to daily and prayed that the Court direct the authorities to pass guidelines to ensure safe working conditions.

It was argued that adequate remuneration be provided to workers working in 'high-risk' conditions and to ensure accountability for non-compliance with statutory obligations. that appropriate action be taken against any persons or entities responsible for negligence misconduct or failure to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

The Bench, although accepted that these are pressing issues, reiterated that the need of the hour was the safe recovery of the trapped men. Thus, the bench decided to close the PIL owing to the assurance given by the Advocate General.

Background

Reportedly 10 days ago, a tunnel in the Srisailam Left Bank Canal, collapsed and swallowed along with it 10 men working on the project. Since then, the exact location of the men stays unrecognised and no contact has been made with them either.

As per news reports, it was stated that it would take 2-3 more days to locate the stuck workers.

Following the same, the PIL was filed, praying that the rescue operation be expedited.

Apart from the instant relief of recovery of men, the petitioner (National Union of Migrant Workers) additionally prayed for:

1. Direction to the authorities to ensure safe working conditions by passing a comprehensive order requiring the relevant statutory bodies and authorities to take prompt and effective action to ensure that the working conditions in all such hazardous, perilous and dangerous environments including but not limited to tunnelling operations, are meticulously regulated

2. To mandate the provision of adequate remuneration by issuing an order compelling the appropriate authorities to establish and enforce a framework for the provision of standardized fair and equitable remuneration to all workers employed in high-risk and hazardous occupations, particularly those engaged in such perilous operations as tunnelling

3. To ensure accountability for non compliance by directing that the relevant authorities be held accountable for any failure to act with due diligence and in accordance with statutory obligations to ensure the safety welfare and fair compensation of workers engaged in hazardous conditions and that appropriate action be taken against any persons or entities responsible for negligence misconduct or failure to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Case title: National Union for Migrant Workers vs. State of Telangana

Counsel for petitioner: P. Akhil Raj

Counsel for respondent: P. Sudharshan Reddy (AAG)