Revanth Reddy unveils advanced aerial electromagnetic survey to revive SLBC project

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said the Congress government is committed to completing the Srisailam Left Bank Canal project, which will supply 30 tmcft of Krishna water to 30 lakh acres. He launched an aerial electromagnetic survey to fast-track tunnelling works

Hyderabad: Asserting that the Congress government was committed to completing the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) works, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said the project would aid in supplying 30 tmcft of River Krishna water to 30 lakh acres through gravity. The project cost is estimated at Rs 4,600 crore. The works would be completed as per the earlier estimates. No other project in India can supply such quantum of water at the lowest cost, he stressed.

The Chief Minister formally launched the aerial electromagnetic survey at SLBC tunnel –I on Monday. He was accompanied by Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy and Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy. Addressing mediapersons, the Chief Minister explained that the survey was being taken up with advanced technology. It helps in identifying the rock culture, loose soil, water pockets and mineral deposits etc and based on the available data, the tunnelling works would be taken up, he said.

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He stated that the tunnel boring machine, which was used earlier, got stuck 20 kms inside the tunnel. Even carrying oxygen and other equipment to the location was challenging. After getting bearing and other spares from the United States, the machine developed snags and other issues cropped up, he said. Accusing that the past government had neglected the SLBC project with political motives, the Chief Minister said the Congress government was according top priority to the project, which will be completed at any cost.

“The project is at a crucial situation as only 9.8 km tunnelling works have to be completed. If not now, this project will never get completed,” Revanth Reddy said, adding that if anyone tries to indulge in cheap politics, they should be thrashed. The Chief Minister announced that the government would provide compensation and address the grievances of Marlapadu, Keshya tanda and Nakkalagandi habitations, which were close to the SLBC project and got submerged, by December 31 this year.

Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy said the project was sanctioned in 1983, and physical works began in 2004–05 with an estimated cost of Rs 2,000 crore. The sanctioned amount for the ongoing works now stands at about Rs 4,000 crore, he said. The tunnel spans about 42 kilometres, of which 9.8 kilometres remain incomplete following a collapse in February 2025.

“This survey marks the starting point of a renewed scientific approach. With accurate geological mapping, we will ensure safe and timely completion of the pending work within two years,” Uttam Kumar said.