Telangana Sets June 2028 Deadline For SLBC Tunnel Project Completion In Nalgonda

The Telangana government has set a deadline of June 2028 to complete the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel project in Nalgonda district. Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy announced the timeline during a review meeting on Monday, emphasizing that the project is crucial to finally providing relief and water to the drought-hit and fluoride-affected population of south Telangana.

During the review meeting, which assessed the SLBC tunnel works and other regional initiatives including the Dindi project, Reddy stated that the SLBC project is more than just an engineering exercise. He described it as the fulfillment of a long-pending promise to the local communities that have historically suffered from severe water scarcity and high fluoride levels in their water supply.

The minister assured that the state government is actively working to clear existing bottlenecks, resolve ongoing land acquisition issues, and strengthen technical supervision. These coordinated efforts are designed to ensure that both the SLBC tunnel and its broader canal network are completed together without further delays.

Reddy also highlighted that safety remains a top priority for the workforce engaged in the challenging tunnel works. He stated that the government is taking all necessary safety measures and emphasized that speed should never be prioritized at the cost of the workforce's safety.

Since the resumption of the SLBC tunnel work using advanced technologies and observation techniques, half a kilometer of progress has already been achieved. According to the minister, progress from the Devarkonda side remains steady, and strict safety precautions are being maintained for the teams working on the Srisailam side of the project.

To further accelerate the construction process, three arm boomers have already arrived at the Mumbai port. These specialized machines are scheduled to reach the project site by the end of this month, which is expected to significantly speed up the tunneling operations.