Prioritize SLBC project, complete work at the earliest: Uttam Kumar to officials

Hyderabad: Irrigation Minister (IM) Capt N Uttam Kumar Reddy has directed the officials to prioritize the SLBC project and complete the work as soon as possible.

He was chairing a review meeting on Thursday. The review meeting was attended by R&B Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, MLAs K Rajagopal Reddy, Balu Naik, Jayveer Reddy, B. Lakshma Reddy, and Vemula Veeresham, Irrigation Department Principal Secretary Rahul Bojja, ENC, engineering officers and contracting agencies. Officials gave a detailed PowerPoint presentation on the pending projects.

Uttam Kumar Reddy said there was a severe delay in executing the works of the SLBC tunnel and Dindi project due to the gross negligence of the previous government. Assuring total cooperation from the present government, Uttam Kumar Reddy directed the officials and the contracting agencies to undertake the pending works on a war footing.

Of the 44 km tunnel work, 9 km remains to be done. Work on both sides of the tunnel should be done immediately. The agencies said that they would complete the job in two years. To that extent, the Minister said the works should be completed within a time-bound target.

Uttam Kumar Reddy directed Irrigation Secretary Rahul Bojja to form a committee with a team of officials.

He said the Dindi and Pendli Pakala reservoirs should be completed immediately. Almost 95 percent of the works have been completed, and another Rs 90 crore was required for the land acquisition. Work should be expedited to get environmental and forest clearances. The works that can increase the ayacut should be completed immediately. Every penny spent should be put to good use, he said.

Uttam Kumar Reddy said that colossal damage was caused due to the negligence and procrastination of the previous BRS government. He noted that the Dindi and SLBC works should be completed in two years. He said work should be expedited by doing weekly reviews. In case of any doubts, there should be effective communication between the agencies and officials to find practical and timely solutions to ensure the works are executed on time without any delay.

He said all measures should be taken to overcome the technical problems. Adequate arrangements should be made to get permission from the central government immediately.