Irrigation Minister directs officials to expedite SLBC tunnel works, targets completion by 2026

Hyderabad, Oct 17 (Representative) Telangana Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Wednesday directed officials to expedite the ongoing works of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel, aiming for the project’s completion by December 2026. Speaking during a review meeting on irrigation projects in the Devarakonda and Miryalguda Assembly constituencies, held at Jalasoudha here on Wednesday, Reddy emphasized the need to complete the project on a war footing. The SLBC tunnel, designed to deliver 4,000 cusecs of water daily with a capacity of 30 TMC, is set to become the world’s largest irrigation tunnel built without intermediary audits. Of the total 44 km length, 9.559 km of tunnel boring remains to be completed. Executing agency JP Associates and its U.S.-based partners informed the minister that critical components are being imported to speed up the project’s completion.Reddy announced that a government order had been issued, releasing Rs 4,637 crore for the project’s completion. The tunnel will operate using gravity flow, eliminating the need for additional lifting costs, which will save around Rs 200 crore annually. This project is expected to benefit the fluoride-affected areas of the Nalgonda district significantly. Additionally, the minister noted that the lining of the SLBC high-level canal, at a cost of Rs 440 crore, will provide irrigation to nearly 4 lakh acres.

The Dindi project will further facilitate irrigation for 3.41 lakh acres in drought-prone and fluoride-affected regions of Nalgonda district, while also providing drinking water facilities to 200 villages. Similarly, the Nakkelganda project is being expedited to benefit the tribal and backward regions of Telangana.Reddy also called for a probe into the check dams constructed during the previous BRS regime, alleging that they were built without proper due diligence. He highlighted several check dams that had been washed away or damaged, citing poor planning and inadequate assessments. Describing the issue as a major scam, he emphasized the need for a thorough inquiry to hold those responsible accountable. He provided 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 insisted that all check dams constructed during this period should be investigated thoroughly. The minister urged officials to ensure high-quality construction for any new check dams and stressed the need to avoid unnecessary delays, focusing on areas where they are most needed.Reddy further instructed officials to expedite the completion of other irrigation projects in Miryalguda and Devarakonda, where land acquisition issues have caused delays.

He encouraged district collectors to proactively address these challenges in coordination with the Forest Department and assured that he would personally take up priority land acquisition projects with Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to ensure faster approvals. The minister emphasized that all officials must adhere to deadlines to ensure timely project completion. He announced that he would personally monitor irrigation projects in the combined Nalgonda district, paying special attention to priority schemes. He also directed officials to escalate unresolved issues to higher authorities to prevent bottlenecks.In addition, Reddy directed the ENC to submit a proposal for repairs and the strengthening of the Nagarjuna Sagar left main canal, noting several weak spots along the canal that need to be repaired between crop cycles. During the meeting, discussions were also held on new lift irrigation schemes aimed at enhancing irrigation across 62,742 acres in the Devarakonda and Miryalguda constituencies. These projects will utilize water from the Krishna and Musi rivers, helping stabilize existing irrigation systems and creating new opportunities for tail-end farmers.The new schemes include the Pogilla LIS, Kambalapally LIS, and Amba Bhavani LIS in Devarakonda, and the AKBR LIS, Peddagattu LIS, Dunnapothulagandi-Balnepally-Champlathanda LIS, Topucherla LIS, and Keshavapur-Kondrapur LIS in Miryalguda, covering a combined ayacut of 47,708 acres, an official statement said.