Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy asked the engineers to carry out the work in the tunnel round the clock with a targeted approach as per safety protocol after mobilizing and deploying the necessary machinery. | Photo credit: NAGARA GOPAL
HYDERABAD
The state government has received the aerial (heliborne) electromagnetic (AEM) survey report of the work on the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel, which came to a halt on February 22 last year after its collapse near 14 km from the mouth on the Srisailam reservoir side, and based on the report, the tunnel excavation work will resume soon.
This was stated by Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy at a high-level meeting held here on Sunday on the SLBC tunnel project and the rehabilitation of Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages in the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP).
The collapse of the SLBC tunnel buried alive eight engineers, technicians and workers, and a rescue operation by multi-agency teams from the Army, Navy, Singareni and several others, which lasted for more than a month, was able to trace and recover only two bodies until the operation was called off and the bodies of the remaining six were buried forever under the debris.
Mr. Uttam Kumar Reddy asked the engineers to carry out the tunneling work round the clock with targeted approach and following safety protocol after mobilizing and deploying the necessary machinery. Any delay or carelessness would not be tolerated, he warned.
An aerial electromagnetic survey for the remaining part of the SLBC tunnel, about 9.5 km, was carried out in collaboration with the National Geophysical Research Institute (CSIR-NGRI) and the report was accepted. The results were encouraging and provided valuable geological data to help assess the required tunnel support systems and identify potentially unfavorable 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 will be carried out using scientific methodologies based on advanced tunneling techniques and observation methods that will ensure continuous monitoring and adherence to international best safety practices.
To strengthen project management, the minister announced the creation of an exclusive SLBC division with orders to appoint a chief engineer to head operations. He also managed the engagement of an Independent Supervisory Consultant (ISC) to assist the Chief Engineer in ensuring safety, quality and design compliance during construction.
He explained that dedicated planning teams will continuously monitor progress while tunnel safety supervisors from Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) will be deployed on site. He also ordered the establishment of specialized geotechnical and geological teams to conduct daily assessments of ground behavior and tunnel stability, enabling real-time decision-making and risk mitigation.
“The SLBC tunnel is a vital part of Telangana’s irrigation system. The work must proceed with speed, discipline and scientific precision,” said Mr. Uttam Kumar Reddy.
Published – 01 Feb 2026 20:18 IST
