Govt. to resume soon SLBC tunnel work aided by heli-borne AEM survey report: Uttam Reddy

HYDERABAD

The State government has received the aerial (heli-borne) electromagnetic (AEM) survey report on the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel work that came to a standstill on February 22 last year following its collapse near 14 km from the mouth from the Srisailam reservoir side and based on the report work on the tunnel excavation would be resumed soon.

This was stated by Minister for Irrigation and Civil Supplies N. Uttam Kumar Reddy at a high-level meeting held here on Sunday on SLBC tunnel project and rehabilitation of the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla Barrages of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP).

The SLBC tunnel collapse buried alive eight engineers, technicians and workers and the rescue operation handled by multi-agency teams from Army, Navy, Singareni and several others that went on for over a month could trace and recover only two bodies till the operation was called-off burying the bodies of the remaining six persons under the debris forever.

Mr. Uttam Kumar Reddy asked the engineers to carry out the tunnel work round-the-clock with a focused approach by following safety protocol after mobilising and deploying the required machinery. Any delay or negligence would not be tolerated, he cautioned.

The aerial electromagnetic survey for the remaining section of the SLBC tunnel, about 9.5 km, was conducted in collaboration with the National Geophysical Research Institute (CSIR-NGRI) and the report was received. The results were encouraging, providing valuable geological data that would aid in assessing the required tunnel support systems and in identifying any potentially adverse geological zones in advance, the Minister explained.

Reiterating the government’s commitment to timely completion of critical irrigation infrastructure, the Minister said the remaining tunnel work would be executed using scientific methodologies based on advanced tunnelling techniques and observational methods, ensuring continuous monitoring and adherence to international best safety practices.

To strengthen project management, the Minister announced creation of an exclusive SLBC Division with orders to appoint a Chief Engineer to head the operations. He further directed the engagement of an Independent Supervision Consultant (ISC) to assist the Chief Engineer in ensuring safety, quality and design compliance throughout construction.

He expalined that dedicated planning teams would monitor progress constantly, while tunnel safety supervisors from Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) would be deployed at the site. He also ordered establishment of specialised geotechnical and geological teams to perform daily assessments of ground behaviour and tunnel stability, enabling real-time decision-making and risk mitigation.

“The SLBC tunnel is a vital component of Telangana’s irrigation framework. Work must proceed with speed, discipline and scientific precision”, Mr. Uttam Kumar Reddy said.