Hyderabad: Telangana planned to deploy Army engineers for SLBC tunnel construction and the restoration of the Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages.
The government sought additional officers from the Army’s engineering wing to accelerate the critical irrigation works. The move covered both the 44-km SLBC tunnel and the three Kaleshwaram barrages.
The Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence’s Military Secretary Branch forwarded three names to the Telangana government. They were Lieutenant Colonel Satyadev Singh, Lieutenant Colonel Ranjit Menon and Lieutenant Colonel Bhalla.
The state government was considering the three officers for deputation. It was expected to assign them to the technically demanding irrigation projects.
The proposal followed a meeting between Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy and Army Chief General Dheeraj Seth in New Delhi.
Reddy met General Seth at his official residence and sought experienced Army engineers for Telangana. During the meeting, he explained the technical challenges facing the SLBC tunnel.
He also briefed the Army Chief on the repair and restoration requirements at Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla. Soon after the meeting, Army Headquarters moved the proposal forward and recommended the three officers.
Army engineers for SLBC and Kaleshwaram restoration
Reddy and General Seth are both alumni of the National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla in Pune. Reddy trained in the Air Force wing and served as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force.
General Seth trained in the Army wing and joined the Armoured Corps. Reddy said his experience as a former military officer had given him respect for the armed forces’ discipline, commitment and technical skills.
He said military personnel received specialised training for complex projects, disaster situations and difficult weather conditions. Reddy also highlighted their leadership, accountability and problem-solving skills.
Officials said Colonel Parikshit Mehra’s experience with the Telangana government had influenced the decision to seek additional Army engineering support. Mehra had worked with the government for the past two years.
He remained closely involved with the SLBC tunnel and restoration plans for the three Kaleshwaram barrages. Officials said his field-level technical expertise and coordination had benefited the Irrigation Department.
The SLBC tunnel extends for about 44 km. Workers have completed excavation for around 35 km, while the government has set June 2028 as the deadline for the remaining work.
The government planned to deploy one Army officer to supervise the tunnel excavation. Soil, concrete and foundation tests had also reached the final stage following recommendations from the National Dam Safety Authority.
IIT Bombay and AFRY India were examining the technical aspects and preparing the final designs. The government planned to assign the other two Army officers to the restoration works at the three barrages.
Reddy said the government wanted to complete the projects within the stipulated timelines. He stressed that worker safety and engineering standards would remain priorities.
The minister also said the involvement of Army engineers could strengthen quality control. In addition, he expected their participation to support faster decision-making on the projects.