Minister Calls for Expedited Preparations to Resume SLBC Tunnel Work

Quick Summary

• Minister for Irrigation and Civil Supplies N. Uttam Kumar Reddy urged officials to fast-track the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel works, treating it as a ‘very high priority’ initiative of the State government.
• Meeting details: A high-level meeting in Hyderabad was held on Friday. The Minister announced plans to consult Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Deputy Chief Minister M. Bhatti Vikramarka for necessary departmental approvals.
• The tunnel’s incomplete 9-km section hinders drawing water from the Srisailam reservoir and costs nearly ₹750 crore annually in energy bills for lifting water to tribal and fluoride-affected areas in combined Nalgonda district.
• Advanced technology will be employed, with NGRI conducting aerial electromagnetic surveys using helicopter-mounted equipment to map up to one km below ground level as part of resuming operations halted earlier this year.
• The Geological Survey of India (GSI) will carry out aerial LiDAR surveys for thorough structural analysis, with tunnelling operations expected to resume instantly afterward.

Indian Opinion Analysis

Resumption of work on the SLBC project signals a notable step toward addressing essential irrigation needs in backward regions like tribal areas and those affected by fluoride contamination within combined Nalgonda district. By prioritizing advanced geophysical techniques such as aerial electromagnetic surveys conducted by NGRI and lidar assessments by GSI, the government aims for careful planning while avoiding potential geological risks.

The financial implications are evident-spending ₹750 crore annually on energy bills places economic strain that could or else be alleviated through gravity-based water flow enabled by tunnel completion.Such strategic infrastructure projects not only promote equitable resource distribution but also enhance long-term sustainability, particularly vital given fluctuating rainfall patterns affecting reservoirs like Srisailam.

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