SLBC tunnel: High-powered vacuum pump being used to remove debris

A ‘liquid ring vacuum pump’ of 30 HP capacity equipped with a vacuum tank was pressed into service in the SLBC tunnel as part of the ongoing rescue operations on Friday.

This setup has been engaged to facilitate speedy rescue operations, said officials. The liquid ring vacuum pump is a machine that uses water or another liquid to create a vacuum.

It works by forming a spinning ring of liquid that captures and squeezes gases or materials, which are then pushed out.

Officials explained that the vacuum tank can remove up to 620 cubic metres of mud per hour, transporting it outside the tunnel via a conveyor belt.

Instead of manual digging, the autonomous hydraulically-powered robots, equipped with advanced



technology, are conducting the digging process within the tunnel.

This advanced technology has been set up to swiftly remove soil generated during the digging process.

Teams from the Army, Singareni Mines Rescue Team, NDRF, SDRF, Rat Miners, Geological Survey of India, Hydra, Anvi Robotics, and South Central Railway are participating in the rescue efforts.

A high-level review meeting was held this evening to assess the progress of ongoing rescue operations in the tunnel.

Special Chief Secretary of Disaster and Management Arvind Kumar, along with Nagarkurnool District Collector Badavath Santosh and Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Gaikwad Raghunath conducted the review.