SLBC Tunnel Resumption Geared Up: Uttam Kumar Reddy

In a decisive push to revive one of the State's ambitious infrastructure projects, Telangana Irrigation and Food & Civil Supplies Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy today announced the resumption of works on the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel.

The minister chaired a key review meeting with senior officials of the irrigation department at his Secretariat chamber. He said that the tunnel, a key component of the Alimineti Madhava Reddy Project (AMRP) initiated in 1983, was a high priority for the government, and would receive renewed momentum now. He said that the project, stalled following the tunnel roof collapse on February 22, 2025, would resume using advanced tunnelling methodologies. The TBM wreckage had been removed and the site was fully cleared and prepared, paving the way for the resumption of works, he said.

As per reports, the tunnel, spanning approximately 44 km, with access only from two ends - the Srisailam inlet and the Devarkonda outlet - will be the longest in the world excavated without intermediate shafts upon completion. Originating from the left bank of the Srisailam reservoir, the tunnel is designed to irrigate 3 lakh acres in the drought-prone regions of Telangana and supply drinking water to fluoride-affected villages.

So far, excavation has reached 13.94 km from the inlet side and 20.4 km from the outlet side, leaving about 9.8 km remaining, including contingency. Citing site-specific geological challenges, the government has decided to abandon the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) in favour of advanced tunnelling methods. This decision follows the completion of a helicopter-borne VTEM Plus magnetic geophysical survey, sanctioned by the Telangana government and conducted by scientists from the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI).

JP Infra will continue as the executing agency. To safeguard project funds, an escrow account has been established with all necessary bank and legal approvals. This mechanism will ensure protected, project-specific allocation of finances, enabling uninterrupted execution of works.

The minister directed that works must proceed simultaneously from both ends of the SLBC. He instructed Principal Secretary Rahul Bojja and other officials to clear all pending payments to the implementing agency to avoid further delays. Emphasising workforce mobilisation, he directed the agency to ready equipment and manpower, with provisions to divert resources from other projects if required.

Reddy said that the aerial electromagnetic survey had provided critical data on rock conditions, enabling the installation of advance warning systems for weak rock zones. 3D monitoring systems would be introduced to allow support structures to be deployed based on geological forecasts, he added.

"Operations will run round-the-clock in three shifts to accelerate progress. The concerned officers must remain on-site to ensure quicker decision-making on design, safety and related issues," the minister said.