HYDERABAD: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday reaffirmed his government’s commitment to completing the long-pending SLBC tunnel, announcing compensation for those affected by the 40-km project, described as the world’s largest of its kind.
Revanth, accompanied by Ministers N Uttam Kumar Reddy and Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, reviewed the helicopter-borne VTEM Plus Magnetic Geophysical Survey at Mannevaripally in Achampeta mandal, Nagarkurnool district. The survey, conducted by NGRI, was launched on Monday to assist the Rs 4,600 crore project, which aims to irrigate 3 lakh acres by lifting 30 tmcft from the Krishna river.
The chief minister said compensation would be provided to residents of Marlapadu, Keshya Tanda and Nakkalagandi habitations, which stand to be submerged under the project.
Revanth accused the previous BRS government of stalling tunnel works during its decade-long rule. “The SLBC was sanctioned in 1983 and the YS Rajasekhara Reddy government began work in 2004 at an estimated cost of Rs 1,968 crore. After KCR took charge in 2014, the works stopped. The project was ignored because there was no scope for commissions,” he said. The cost, he added, had now more than doubled to Rs 4,500 crore.
He alleged that despite spending Rs 1.86 lakh crore on contractors, including Rs 1.05 lakh crore on Kaleshwaram, the previous government did not take up any Krishna river projects.
Uttam said the VTEM Plus electromagnetic survey marks a new phase in science-driven irrigation management. Using Canadian technology, it maps subsurface formations up to 1,000 metres deep to detect rock strength, water inflows and fault zones.
“The data will guide tunnel alignment, reinforcement and drainage design. We expect to complete the remaining works within two years,” Uttam said.
State government adviser Col Parikshit Mehra said the survey’s precision was vital for a 44-km twin-end drive with no middle access. NGRI Director Dr Prakash Garni added that the data would also aid groundwater and mineral studies.
Pilot Col Nahal said the helicopter maintains a height of about 250 feet, with a 120-foot sensor loop below, flying in straight, parallel paths to ensure accurate readings.
