CM Revanth Reddy vows to complete Srisailam Left Bank Canal tunnel project

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has given new momentum to the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel project, which had been stalled for nearly two decades. “After assuming office, our government resumed this long-pending project. We are determined to complete the remaining 9.8 kilometers of tunnel work, learning from the challenges faced in the past,” the CM said.

To speed up the construction, the state government has initiated a high-tech Heliborn Aerial Electromagnetic Survey at Mannevaripalli in Nagar Karnool’s Achampet mandal. The survey is being conducted under the guidance of scientists from the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), in the presence of the Chief Minister.

Ministers Uttam Kumar and Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, local MLA Vamsi Chandra Reddy, leaders Balu Nayak, Lieutenant General Harpal Singh (Advisor to the Water Resources Department), and Dr. Prakash Kumar (Director, CSIR-NGRI), along with other scientists, participated in the event.

Irrigation benefits for 3.3 lakh acres The SLBC project aims to supply irrigation water to Telangana’s southern districts - Nagar Karnool, Nalgonda, Suryapet, and Mahabubnagar. Once completed, around 3.3 lakh acres of parched land will receive water, which is expected to boost agricultural production and improve groundwater levels.

Tunnel details The project includes two main tunnels: Tunnel-1, which is 13 km long, and Tunnel-2, 30 km long - together forming a 43 km underground water passage. The tunnels are being dug at an average depth of 800 to 1,000 meters. Around 70% of the work, approximately 30 km, has been completed so far.

The project is unique globally and promises to deliver water using gravity, eliminating the need for expensive electricity-driven pumping. Currently, the Almatti-Mullaperiyar-River (AMR) project requires about ₹500 crore annually for electricity costs alone, totaling around ₹5,000 crore over the past decade.

Why work stalled earlier Construction had stopped in 2013-14 due to underground technical challenges, including weak rock zones (“shear zones”), high water flow, safety concerns, funding issues, and changes in contractors. To address these, the Heliborn survey has been launched, which will guide tunnel construction scientifically.

How the Heliborn survey helps The Heliborn Aerial Electromagnetic Survey can map underground rock layers, water flow directions, pressure points, and weak zones. This information allows engineers to plan tunnel construction safely, identify risky areas in advance, and take preventive measures. The survey is therefore considered a foundational step in completing the tunnels efficiently and safely.

Cost and timeline Originally approved in 2004-05, the SLBC project was estimated to cost ₹1,975 crore, with ₹900 crore earmarked for tunnel work. Due to technical challenges and delays, the total expenditure may now exceed ₹2,500 crore. The government plans to complete the tunnels by the end of 2027, ensuring the timely delivery of irrigation water.