SLBC Tunnel Project Resumes in Telangana With New Route and Tech Support
The Telangana government has officially resumed work on the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel, nearly five months after a tragic collapse at the Domalapenta site in Nagarkurnool district that trapped eight workers. With six bodies still unrecovered, authorities are now focusing on completing the project through a new tunnel route using advanced survey technology.
🚧 SLBC Tunnel Project Resumes After 5-Month Halt
The 44-km SLBC tunnel, estimated to cost ₹4,600 crore, is designed to divert Krishna River water from the Srisailam reservoir to irrigate over 4 lakh acres in the old Nalgonda district and supply drinking water to 516 villages.
The project was halted on February 22, just four days after work began on a critical 9.6-km stretch deep inside the Nallamala forest, where the tunnel collapsed.
🛠️ Government Shifts Focus to Tunnel Re-routing Using Modern Technology
On Saturday, Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy chaired a high-level review meeting and directed immediate resumption of tunneling activities, including drilling and controlled blasting.
He confirmed that re-routing of the tunnel is being undertaken with support from the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) and the Geological Survey of India (GSI), using electromagnetic survey techniques.
Additionally, an aerial LIDAR survey is being conducted for accurate terrain mapping and safe planning. LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) uses laser technology to create 3D maps of the ground surface.
⚠️ Rescue Operation Called Off in April After Repeated Setbacks
Efforts to retrieve the six missing workers were carried out for nearly three months, but eventually abandoned due to the dangerous condition of the tunnel.
A 43-meter section, identified as the “critical zone”, was declared too risky to excavate. Experts warned that disturbing this area could trigger another collapse.
By the last week of April, the Indian Army and Navy units assisting in the rescue were withdrawn due to rising border tensions and the terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22.
🧾 Rescue Mission Closed, Compensation Provided to Families
Congress MLA Vamsi Krishna Chikkudu, who supervised the rescue efforts, confirmed that the operation was officially called off. The families of the deceased workers have been informed and provided compensation as per government rules.
The government has also declared the six missing individuals as legally deceased and closed the rescue chapter.
🚜 Tunnel Construction Progress and New Plans
So far:
-
20.5 km completed from Devarakonda side
-
14 km finished from the Domalapenta inlet
Only the remaining 9.6 km needs to be drilled—this was the segment that collapsed.
The government is now working on bypassing the collapsed portion through an alternative tunnel route, based on findings from ongoing geological surveys.
🧠 Army Engineering Expert to Guide Project Execution
To improve the project’s technical execution, the state has announced that General Harpal Singh, former Engineer-in-Chief of the Indian Army, will be appointed as a technical advisor to the Irrigation Department.
✅ Key Highlights
-
Work on SLBC tunnel restarts after deadly February collapse
-
Six bodies remain unrecovered; rescue efforts officially abandoned
-
New route to be developed using LIDAR and electromagnetic surveys
-
Tunnel to bring irrigation to 4 lakh acres and water to 516 villages
-
General Harpal Singh to advise on technical strategy and safety
🔍 Why It Matters
The SLBC project is crucial for agriculture, drinking water, and regional development in Telangana. By using cutting-edge surveying technologies and expert guidance, the state aims to complete the project safely while preventing further disasters.
