Relief ops at SLBC Tunnel to conclude in 15 days: Ponguleti

Revenue, Housing, and Information and Public Relations Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy stated that the relief operations at the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel, which witnessed a tragic accident, will be completed within the next 10 to 15 days. He assured that Krishna river waters, through this canal, will reach the farmers of Nalgonda and Khammam districts within the next two and a half years, bringing much-needed irrigation.
Speaking to the media at Srisailam on Wednesday after inspecting the accident site, the minister said that, following the instructions of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, the ongoing relief work is progressing rapidly. He said that nearly 105 to 110 meters of excavation is still pending, and once completed, the issue will be resolved. The accident occurred due to the presence of rocks and clay over a 250-meter stretch inside the tunnel.
For the past 40 days, around 700 to 800 experts from various organizations have been working day and night under the supervision of officials. Currently, about 550 to 560 workers are continuing the operations with advanced machinery. The minister highlighted the challenges posed by iron and other materials sticking to the heavy drilling machines, making sludge removal difficult and dangerous. He assured that the state government has arranged all necessary facilities for the teams working inside the tunnel without compromising their safety.