Fresh Assessment Needed for Srisailam Left Bank Canal Project.

The Alimineti Madhava Reddy Srisailam Left Bank Canal (AMR SLBC) project has come under scrutiny following the tragic tunnel collapse, raising concerns over safety and delays in major infrastructure projects.

The full impact of the accident is yet to be assessed, and it remains uncertain when work will resume. Authorities and stakeholders are expected to thoroughly investigate the causes and implement necessary corrective measures before restarting the project.

The AMR SLBC project, conceived in 1983, aims to transfer water from the Krishna River at Srisailam to irrigate nearly 4 lakh acres in the erstwhile Nalgonda district and provide fluoride-free drinking water to Nalgonda and parts of Nagarkurnool. Given Telangana's topographical challenges, the project relies on a 43.5 km-long tunnel, making it one of the longest of its kind in the world.

Balancing ecological concerns with development needs, the tunnel was designed with only two openings to minimize disturbance to the Amarabad Tiger Reserve. This design choice has, however, posed significant execution challenges.

Work on the project formally began in 2006 after delays in statutory clearances and the procurement of tunnel boring machines (TBMs). Despite 18 years of efforts, only 20.5 km of the tunnel has been drilled from one end and 14 km from the other, leaving 9.4 km still incomplete.

With rising costs and extended timelines, experts stress the need for a fresh assessment to prevent further setbacks and ensure the safe and timely completion of the project.

HBL