Archive · 5 Oct 2026
SLBC Tunnel Clears Difficult Geological Stretch as Excavation Advances
Workers building the SLBC tunnel have passed through a very difficult section of rock.
They dug 700 metres over the last five to six months, working from both ends.
The tunnel is nearly 44 kilometres long and is about 79 per cent finished.
Some areas were unstable, so workers slowed down to improve safety.
The irrigation minister asked officials and the contractor to keep work moving while protecting the crews.
Concrete lining is already being added to finished parts.
The project is intended to bring water from the Srisailam reservoir to drought-prone areas.
Officials are working toward delivering water by June 2028.
The Srisailam Left Bank Canal tunnel recorded 700 metres of excavation progress over five to six months.
Crews excavated about 450 metres from the outlet and 250 metres from the inlet, including through a major shear zone.
The nearly 44-kilometre main tunnel is about 79 per cent complete, with roughly 9.1 kilometres remaining.
Officials said work faced weak ground, rock bursts and other geological, technical and logistical challenges.
The project aims to deliver water by June 2028 and irrigate drought-prone areas, primarily in the erstwhile Nalgonda district.
- Who
- Irrigation minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, project officials and the tunnel team.
- What
- The SLBC tunnel excavation passed a major geological challenge, with 700 metres of progress reported.
- When
- The progress was recorded over the past five to six months; the minister reviewed the project on Sunday.
- Where
- At the Srisailam Left Bank Canal tunnel, which is intended to serve areas primarily in the erstwhile Nalgonda district.
- Why
- The project is designed to draw more than 30 tmc ft of water from the Srisailam reservoir for irrigation in drought-prone areas.
- Excavation progress
- 700 metres over five to six months
- Progress by tunnel end
- About 450 metres from the outlet and 250 metres from the inlet
- Main tunnel length
- Nearly 44 kilometres
- Main tunnel completion
- About 79 per cent; around 9.1 kilometres remain
- Water-delivery target
- June 2028
- Designed water volume
- More than 30 tmc ft from the Srisailam reservoir
- Tunnel 2 length
- 7.1 kilometres; lining work has resumed