The Deputy Chief Minister will inspect Srisailam Left Bank Canal works on Friday and give necessary directions to officials
During the padayatra, the Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka had promised to complete the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) project. In line with this promise, funds had been allocated in the budget. A comprehensive action plan has been devised to complete the project within two years.
The SLBC and Nakkalagandi projects have been neglected under a decade of BRS rule. During his visit today, the Deputy Chief Minister on Friday will provide direction to officials.
“Despite being in power for ten years, the BRS government has neglected to complete a 10-kilometer stretch of the SLBC tunnel. During the Congress rule of the United AP, 80 per cent of this project was completed. If the TRS government had allocated just Rs 1,000 crore in its first year in power, water for irrigation could have been provided to 4 lakh acres and drinking water to 512 villages in Nagarkurnool and Nalgonda districts. The BRS rulers have no intention of providing water to farmers. But, under Indiramma’s reign and a people’s government, I will complete the SLBC tunnel and ensure irrigation water for the farmers,” promised the then CLP leader and current Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu on the 83rd day of the People’s March Padayatra (June 7, 2023) while inspecting the SLBC tunnel works, according to an officials press statement here
To fulfill this promise as soon as the people’s government came to power, Bhatti Vikramarka, along with Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy and District Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, reviewed the irrigation project with officials at the state secretariat. They discussed the required funds, machinery for digging the tunnel, and other necessary details and prepared a comprehensive action plan to complete the project within two years. The government is ready to allocate any necessary budget to complete the project and instructed the officials not to hesitate regarding funds. Additionally, the required budget for completing the SLBC tunnel works has been allocated.
With the special initiative of Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, the stalled project works, neglected for the past ten years under the BRS regime, have begun to progress. Officials have initiated actions to import the damaged Tunnel Boring Machine bearing from the USA to resume tunneling work. The machine bearing is expected to arrive soon, and the outlet works are set to commence.
In this context, to ensure completion of the works within the government’s stipulated deadline, the Deputy CM will review with representatives of the contractor and officials. On Friday, Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka will visit the SLBC tunnel, accompanied by fellow ministers, to guide the officials on the necessary actions to expedite the project.
Minister for Irrigation N Uttama Kumar Reddy, Minister for Roads and Buildings Komatireddy Venkat Reddy and Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao will also visit the SLBC project, along with the Deputy Chief Minister.
