HYDERABAD: Telangana Irrigation Minister Capt N Uttam Kumar Reddy informed the Assembly on Wednesday that two bodies have been recovered from the collapsed SLBC tunnel so far, while rescue operations have entered their 34th day. Teams from the NDRF, SDRF, Singareni Mines Rescue, and South Central Railway are working round-the-clock under difficult conditions to recover the remaining bodies. Dewatering and excavation efforts at points D-1 and D-2 are progressing rapidly, he said.
Recounting his visit to the site within three hours of the incident, the minister said Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and other senior officials had also inspected the rescue operations personally. “We are deploying globally renowned technical experts and utilising every available department,” he added.
He made the remarks while responding to the discussion on Demands for Grants for the Irrigation Department on the final day of debate on the Telangana Budget 2025–26.
Uttam Kumar Reddy said the government is fully committed to completing the SLBC project after the rescue efforts conclude, along with the long-pending Pranahita-Chevella project. He announced that works at Thummadihatti under the Pranahita segment would commence shortly.
On the controversial Kaleshwaram project, he stated that the Vigilance Report has already exposed serious flaws in its design, construction, and maintenance. The minister noted significant discrepancies between the original Detailed Project Report (DPR) and actual implementation. The state is now awaiting the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) report, and officials have requested Union Jal Shakti Minister Chandrakant Patil to expedite its release.
“A judicial inquiry into Kaleshwaram is underway, and once the relevant reports are submitted, strict action will be taken against those responsible,” he assured.
Highlighting the financial stress inherited from the previous government, Uttam Kumar Reddy said that rather than opting for long-term, low-interest infrastructure loans, the earlier regime preferred short-term, high-interest borrowings. “We are currently paying ₹13,000–16,000 crore annually in interest alone, including ₹15,000 crore per year just in interest payments,” he said.
Despite these constraints, he emphasised that the current administration has no political bias in selecting projects. Irrigation works have been categorised based on urgency and cost-efficiency, and the focus is on completing those which can be finished quickly and benefit ayacut areas. He invited legislators to suggest eligible projects for swift implementation.
The minister also criticised the previous administration for neglecting the Devadula project, especially Pumping Station 3, which remained incomplete for more than a decade. “We completed the works on a war footing, and pumping operations will begin within the next couple of days,” he announced.
He added that fast-tracking would continue for the PPR, Komuram Bheem, Chanaka, and Jagannadham projects. He reiterated that delivering irrigation water to farmers remains a top priority for the Congress government.
Uttam Kumar Reddy stated that the government is committed to transparency, accountability, and evidence-based action. “We are determined to correct past mistakes, fulfil our promises, and ensure water security for all,” he said.