Preparations Underway to Resume SLBC Project

Rapid Summary

• the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) project in Telangana is poised to resume after a revised plan and financial estimates were approved.
• The state government has set a target of tunneling 175 meters per month to complete the remaining 9 km of the tunnel by January 2028.
• Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy plans to hold a review meeting, as indicated by Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy.
• Geological surveys using heli-borne technology will identify risks like shear zones and fault lines along the alignment; these will be conducted by national Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI).
• About 35 km of the planned 44 km tunnel is completed; intensive oversight and modern methods will be employed for the balance with stringent protocols on safety, documentation, ventilation, and monitoring.
• Tunneling progress was noted at 21 km from one end and 14 km from another; remaining stretches require more regulated oversight in three shifts per day with junior engineers deployed.
• Officials aim to achieve excavation through written daily records and third-party quality assurance while training young engineers for long-term expertise in tunnel construction.
• SLBC tunnel’s potential capacity is estimated at transporting water at a rate of 0.3 TMC/day over about a span of three months during operational periods beginning from an elevation level lower than competing Andhra Pradesh projects-ensuring better water management.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The progress on resuming work for the Srisailam Left Bank Canal reflects Telangana’s commitment to completing critical irrigation infrastructure within aspiring timelines. Employing advanced technologies like heli-borne surveys showcases how modern engineering can mitigate geological risks effectively when handling such complex projects, especially when addressing weak formations or fault lines.This initiative holds multifaceted importance: it promises direct irrigation benefits for farmers while potentially reducing electricity expenditure currently incurred due to water pumping (₹500-₹550 crore annually). Moreover, its completion could fortify Telangana’s control over regional water resources-preventing neighboring Andhra Pradesh from allegedly diverting flows illegally above prescribed levels.

The decision for training young engineers alongside strict safety parameters demonstrates foresight toward sustainable developmental continuity while bolstering technical capacities locally. However, challenges remain given stringent monthly excavation targets amid logistical hurdles tied to ensuring protocol adherence within limited cost frameworks-a reflection that preparedness rather than reactive approaches remains essential not just financially but strategically too.

For further details on this progress: Read More