SLBC tunnel work advances beyond problematic stretch, set to gain pace

Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy at a meeting on the SLBC tunnel project work, in Hyderabad on Sunday. | Photo Credit: By Arrangement

The excavation of Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel has moved beyond the major geological hurdle, the stretch where the tunnel caved in claiming the lives of eight engineers, technicians and workers in February last year, paving the way for deployment of additional equipment and improved operational efficiency while maintaining rigorous safety standards.

The decisive breakthrough in the execution of the SLBC tunnel is now expected to gain pace towards the government target of completing it by June 2028, Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said at a meeting here on Sunday, where he reviewed the project progress with the engineers, agencies involved in the execution and elected representatives of the areas to be benefited from the project.

The Minister commended the efforts of officials and the workforce engaged in the arduous task and the successful passage of work through the precarious and collapse-prone shear zone. He stated that over 700 metres of tunnel has been excavated since the restart of work in February this year. They were deploying additional drilling equipment and German locomotive to accelerate the operations.