Resume SLBC Tunneling Ops Immediately: Uttam

Officials Directed to Maintain Highest Standards and Speed Up Work

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Hyderabad

IRRIGATION Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy has directed officials to immediately resume the remaining tunneling operations, including drilling and blasting, of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC). Calling SLBC a crucial lifeline for Telangana, he emphasized that its completion must be treated as a top priority and executed with urgency. An estimated 10 kilometers of tunnel work remains to be completed.

On Saturday, the minister held a review meeting with officials of the Irrigation department to discuss various issues.

During the meeting, he noted that the SLBC tunnel work is being undertaken using the latest electromagnetic survey technology, in collaboration with the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) and the Geological Survey of India (GSI). To ensure precise planning and seamless execution, he directed officials to expedite the aerial LIDAR survey. Earlier in the day, he met NGRI scientists to finalize the technical modalities of the survey. He reiterated that cost would not be a constraint, but quality and speed must be maintained at the highest standards.