Sunkishala project: HMWSSB MD Ashok Reddy visits construction site; asks to speed up work

Hyderabad: Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) managing director Ashok Reddy inspected the ongoing construction works of the Sunkishala project. at Nagarjuna Sagar.

During his visit, Ashok Reddy who was accompanied by the senior officials of the Water Board inspected the pipeline expansion works and the construction works of the Sunkishala intake well. He advised the agency officials to pay special attention to the pipe expansion works and suggested them to not to compromise on the quality of the works.

Speaking on the occasion, Ashok Reddy said that civil, tunnel, electrical, and pipeline works are currently ongoing.

He stated that the tunnel and electrical works have reached the final stage, while the civil works are still ongoing. He also advised the officials to take steps to quickly complete the work of removing the retaining wall debris.

Ashok Reddy further inspected the area where the Sunkishala Tunnel Gate retaining wall had tilted to one side. He inquired about the progress of the debris removal from the officials and instructed the officials to speed up the removal of the cement debris.

The HMWSSB managing director also asked the representatives of the construction company to submit the designs for the reconstruction immediately. Officials should set timelines for the side wall reconstruction work and complete the work while reviewing the progress.

The representatives of the construction company informed Ashok Reddy that a special ropeway is being constructed on the surface above the pump room to remove the debris, and that the cement debris would be removed quickly through specially installed cranes.

Later, he inspected the middle tunnel pump room and advised the officials to. complete the bund construction and tunnel plugging work before the onset of the rains and to undertake the work in two shifts. Gates should be installed on the reservoir side at each intake tunnel which would reduce the pressure on the retaining wall, he said.

Elaborating further, Ashok Reddy explained that screens should be installed along with the gate, as there is a possibility of trees and other objects colliding during floods during the rainy season, and these screens can be used to prevent them. Normally, Nagarjuna Sagar Reservoir has 131 TMC of dead storage and 510 feet of water available for use.

“The government has taken up the construction of the Sunkishala Intake Project to ensure that there is no shortage of drinking water even in summer. Even if the water in Nagarjuna Sagar falls into dead storage, this project can provide drinking water to the city,” the HMWSSB managing director said.