Cabinet approves SLBC tunneling works revised estimates of Rs.4,637 crore

Briefing media persons after the cabinet meeting, Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy said the SLBC tunneling works would be completed by September 2027

Hyderabad: The State Cabinet has approved the revised estimates of Rs.4,637 crore pertaining to Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunneling works and announced that Rs. 500 bonus for purchase of fine rice paddy varieties from this Kharif season.

During the three-hour long meeting, the State cabinet also took a few other decisions like appointing a 12-member officers committee to finalise the Southern section of Regional Ring Road (RRR).

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Briefing media persons after the cabinet meeting, Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy said the SLBC tunneling works would be completed by September 2027.

It would aid in providing irrigation water to four lakh acres. There would be no recurring cost as the water would be supplied through gravity, he said, adding that the balance part of Dindi balancing reservoir works would also be completed during the same period.

Regarding the Rs.500 bonus for fine rice paddy varieties, the Minister said 1.43 lakh metric tonnes crop was expected this season. Of these, 80 lakh metric tonnes would be fine rice paddy varieties and 50 lakh metric tonnes of coarse varieties, he said.

“For the purchase of fine rice paddy varieties this Kharif season, the State government allocated additional Rs.2,500 crore,” said Uttam Kumar Reddy said.

The Minister further said new ration cards would be issued from October and fine rice variety would be supplied to all ration card holders from January.

The State cabinet also approved establishment of Logistics Park in 72 acres at Manoharabad. Three thousand teaching and non-teaching posts were approved for the eight medical colleges sanctioned, 34 personnel for fire station at Eturnagaram and engineering college for Kosgi and junior college for Hakimpet.