Telangana Tunnel Collapse highlights ‘Questionable’ Industrial Safety

The current state of industrial safety in India remains a critical concern, with a high frequency of industrial accidents occurring daily across various sectors. A tragic incident that highlights this issue was the recent accident at the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel in Telangana, where eight workers were trapped.

What is the current state of industrial safety in India?

• India's industrial safety is in a dire state, marked by a significant number of fatalities and injuries in workplace accidents.
• As of December 2025, over 400 workers have died, and more than 850 have been seriously injured, with the chemical, pharmaceutical, mining, and energy sectors seeing the highest number of incidents.
• Notably, the chemical and pharmaceutical industries have witnessed deadly explosions and fires, claiming numerous lives and injuring many others.
• Root causes of these accidents:
  • Systemic failures in workplace oversight
  • Poor safety precautions
  • Lack of proper training
  • Use of untrained, precarious workers
• The government's relaxation of safety regulations, such as allowing companies to self-certify their compliance and reducing unannounced inspections, has worsened the situation. There is growing criticism of these regulatory changes, as they have weakened accountability and failed to ensure worker protection.

Challenges

• Weak Enforcement and Implementation: There is often inadequate enforcement of safety regulations, especially in small-scale industries and informal sectors. Corruption and lack of resources may hinder proper inspections and safety measures.
• Training and Awareness Gaps: Workers, especially in the informal sector, are often unaware of their rights or proper safety procedures. Regular safety training and awareness programs are necessary.
• Delayed Compensation: Compensation and rehabilitation often face delays, with families of victims waiting for years to receive full compensation, leaving them financially vulnerable.
• Inadequate Safety Infrastructure: Many industrial units, especially in rural or remote areas, lack proper safety equipment and emergency response infrastructure. There's also a lack of disaster preparedness drills.

Required Measures

• Stronger Implementation of Safety Standards: The government needs to strengthen the implementation of existing safety standards. Regular inspections, penalties for non-compliance, and creating a monitoring mechanism will deter violations. Additionally, promoting the adoption of advanced safety technologies and automated systems can minimize human error.
• Better Worker Training and Awareness: Workers must be properly trained in the use of safety equipment, emergency protocols, and risk management. Government, industry bodies, and employers must work together to ensure that workers are equipped with the knowledge and tools to prevent accidents.
• Enforcement of Labor Rights and Welfare Programs: Labor laws and welfare programs should be more robust and rigorously enforced. Workers should be provided with adequate health insurance, compensation, and benefits in case of accidents. Additionally, a dedicated helpline or legal recourse for industrial accident victims could help ensure timely compensation.
• Creation of a National Industrial Safety Authority: A dedicated body focusing on industrial safety could be established to conduct regular audits of industrial units, implement stricter regulations, and ensure compliance with safety norms. This body could work in coordination with the NDMA to design safety frameworks tailored specifically to industrial settings.
• Promoting Safe Working Conditions through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Encouraging industries to adopt CSR initiatives that focus on worker safety and welfare is crucial. Industries should be incentivized through tax breaks or recognition programs to prioritize safety standards and better working conditions.