Uttam Kumar Reddy Orders Fast-Tracking Of SLBC Tunnel Works

Hyderabad: Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Wednesday directed officials to expedite the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel works on a war footing, aiming for the completion of the project by December 2026.

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Uttam Kumar Reddy made these remarks during a review meeting on irrigation projects in the Devarakonda and Miryalguda Assembly constituencies held at Jalasoudha. Key attendees included Devarakonda MLA Balu Naik, Miryalguda MLA B. Lakshma Reddy, Irrigation Advisor Adityanath Das, Secretary Rahul Bojja, Special Secretary Prashant Jeevan Patel, R&R Commissioner Vinay Krishna Reddy, ENC (General) Anil Kumar, Chief Engineer Nalgonda Ajay Kumar, Chief Engineer Minor Irrigation Chandrashekhar, DFO Rajashekhar, Additional Collector Nalgonda Srinivas, Deputy ENC K. Srinivas, Advisor (Lift Irrigation) Penta Reddy, and other officials. Representatives from agencies executing the works were also present.

The SLBC tunnel, with a capacity of 30 TMC, is designed to deliver 4,000 cusecs of water daily. Upon completion, it would become the world’s largest irrigation tunnel built without intermediary audits. Of the total 44 km length, 9.559 km of tunnel boring remains. The executing agency, JP Associates, and its US-based partners informed the minister that critical components are being imported to expedite completion.

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Uttam Kumar Reddy announced that a government order had been issued, releasing Rs 4,637 crore for the completion of the project. The tunnel will operate by gravity flow, eliminating the need for additional lifting costs, which would save approximately Rs 200 crore annually. This project is expected to significantly benefit the fluoride-affected Nalgonda district.

The minister also noted that the lining of the SLBC high-level canal, for Rs 440 crore, will provide irrigation to nearly 4 lakh acres. In addition, the Dindi project will facilitate irrigation for 3.41 lakh acres in the highly flood-affected and drought-prone areas of Nalgonda district. In addition to providing drinking water facilities to 200 villages.  Similarly, the Nakkelganda project is being expedited to completion. Both projects will benefit the tribal and backward regions of Telangana.

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Uttam Kumar Reddy also ordered a probe into the check dams constructed during the previous BRS regime, alleging these dams were built without proper due diligence. During the meeting, he highlighted that several check dams constructed during this period had either been washed away or damaged, pointing to failures in planning, including inadequate assessments of location, water availability, and viability. Describing the issue as a major scam, he called for a thorough inquiry and stressed the importance of holding those responsible accountable. He cited an example from the Huzurnagar constituency, where a check dam initially sanctioned for a wide stream was later relocated to a narrower site, but the bill was claimed based on the original estimate. He emphasized that all check dams constructed during this period should be thoroughly investigated.

The minister directed officials to ensure that any new check dams currently under construction are of high quality and provide tangible benefits. He stressed that unnecessary delays should be avoided and the work should be taken up where there is absolute necessity.

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Additionally, Uttam Kumar Reddy urged officials to expedite the completion of other irrigation projects, particularly in Miryalguda and Devarakonda, where land acquisition issues have caused delays. He encouraged District Collectors to address these challenges proactively in coordination with the Forest Department and assured that he would personally raise priority land acquisition projects with Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to ensure faster approvals without waiting for other formalities.

The minister emphasized that all officials must adhere to deadlines to complete projects within the stipulated timeframes. He announced that he would personally monitor irrigation projects in the combined Nalgonda district, giving special attention to priority schemes. He also urged officials to escalate unresolved issues to senior levels immediately to avoid bottlenecks.

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In addition, Uttam Kumar Reddy directed the ENC to submit a proposal for repairs and strengthening the Nagarjuna Sagar left main canal. He noted the existence of several weak spots along the canal and instructed that repair work be completed between crop cycles.

During the meeting, discussions were held on new lift irrigation schemes designed to enhance irrigation across 62,742 acres in the Devarakonda and Miryalguda constituencies. These projects will utilize water from the Krishna and Musi rivers, helping to stabilize existing irrigation systems and creating new potential for tail-end farmers.

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The new schemes include the Pogilla LIS, Kambalapally LIS, and Amba Bhavani LIS in Devarakonda, AKBR LIS, Peddagattu LIS in Deverakonda and the Dunnapothulagandi-Balnepally-Champlathanda LIS, Topucherla LIS, Veeralapalem LIS, Keshavapur-Kondrapur LIS in Miryalguda, covering a combined new ayacut of 47,708 acres. (Maxim News)

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