SLBC tunnel will help supply irrigation water from Srisailam dead storage, says Komatireddy
Hyderabad: The completion of the SLBC tunnel project will enable the government to draw water from Srisailam dead storage and supply it to farmers for irrigation, even during severe droughts, Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy said.
He made the statement at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed Nalgonda Agriculture Market Committee governing body. The programme took place at the District Marketing Department office in Nalgonda on Thursday.
Komatireddy said the posts of market committee chairman, vice-chairman and directors carried significant responsibility. These positions offered an opportunity to serve farmers, he said. He urged the new team to prioritise farmers’ welfare.
The minister welcomed the formation of the second governing body of the Nalgonda market committee since the people’s government assumed office. He also recalled that former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy had introduced free electricity for farmers. He said other states had since adopted the scheme and described it as a matter of pride.
SLBC tunnel project work resumes after interruptions
Komatireddy said the SLBC project, launched at an estimated cost of Rs 2,000 crore, had stalled during the previous government’s tenure. The present government resumed the work after taking office. However, construction stopped again midway. Workers recently restarted the project, and work was progressing actively, he said.
He said the government had also taken up the Brahman Vellemula project. So far, the project had provided irrigation to 35,000 acres. The government was working towards its target of supplying drinking water to one lakh acres, he said.
The minister said the government was committed to making the entire Nalgonda district fertile through the SLBC project. He urged public representatives and officials to treat service to farmers as a responsibility.
Komatireddy said the government had taken up lining work on AMRP canals at a cost of Rs 450 crore. It had also secured approval for the Mushampally substation and a road. Once the district’s canals and reservoirs were completed, nearby borewells would receive groundwater recharge, he said.
He promised to eliminate unpaved roads across the district within two years. The minister also referred to various development works underway in Nalgonda Municipal Corporation. He extended advance Diwali greetings to people in the district and across Telangana.
MLC Shankar Nayak, Nalgonda Mayor Burri Chaitanya Srinivas Reddy, former municipal chairman Srinivas Reddy, former ZPTC member Gummala Mohan Reddy and District Marketing Department Assistant Director Chayadevi attended the programme.
B. Hemalatha Venkata Reddy took oath as the Nalgonda Market Committee chairperson. V. Srinivas Goud assumed charge as vice-chairman, along with the newly appointed directors. Assistant Director Chayadevi administered the oath to the new committee members.