Archive · 8 Jan 2026
SLBC Tunnel Completion Delayed by One Year
The SLBC tunnel project in Hyderabad is taking longer to finish than originally planned.
The government thought it would be done by January 2028, but now it looks like it will take until January 2029.
There are still about 9.6 kilometers of tunnel left to dig, but that might increase by another 1-2 kilometers.
Workers will dig from both ends of the tunnel using a method called drill-and-blast.
They expect to dig about 300 meters each month.
There was a big problem in February 2025 when part of the tunnel collapsed, and eight workers died.
Only two bodies were found, and the others are still missing.
Before they can start digging again, they need to fix the collapsed part.
This means the project will take about three more years to finish.
SLBC tunnel project completion delayed by one year to January 2029.
Remaining tunnel distance to excavate is 9.6 km, expected to increase by 1-2 km.
Work will resume from both inlet (Nagarkurnool) and outlet (Nalgonda) sides using drill-and-blast method.
Average excavation rate of 300 meters per month, with work ongoing round the clock.
Collapsed section from February 2025 needs to be plugged and sealed before resuming work, with 6 missing workers' remains to be buried.
- Who
- Government and contractor JP Associates
- What
- Delay in SLBC tunnel project completion
- When
- Original deadline was January 2028, now expected January 2029
- Where
- Tunnel spans Nagarkurnool and Nalgonda districts, Telangana
- Why
- Delays in setting up escrow account, tunnel collapse, and additional work required
- Project
- SLBC Tunnel
- Original Deadline
- January 2028
- New Deadline
- January 2029
- Remaining Tunnel Distance
- 9.6 km (expected to increase by 1-2 km)
- Work Method
- Drill-and-blast
- Monthly Excavation Rate
- 300 metres
- Collapse Location
- Inlet side in Nagarkurnool district
- Workers Killed in Collapse
- 8
- Bodies Recovered
- 2
- Bodies Missing
- 6