Latest news with #NationalGeophysicalResearchInstitute
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Uttam orders urgent completion of SLBC tunnel, ropes in top experts to fast-track work
HYDERABAD: Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy has directed officials to immediately resume the remaining tunnelling operations, including drilling and blasting, of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC). Calling SLBC a crucial lifeline for Telangana, he emphasised that its completion must be treated as a top priority and executed with urgency. An estimated 10 kilometres of tunnel work remains to be completed. On Saturday, the minister held a review meeting with officials of the Irrigation department to discuss various issues. During the meeting, he noted that the SLBC tunnel work is being undertaken using the latest electromagnetic survey technology, in collaboration with the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) and the Geological Survey of India (GSI). To ensure precise planning and seamless execution, he directed officials to expedite the aerial LIDAR survey. Earlier in the day, he met NGRI scientists to finalise the technical modalities of the survey. He reiterated that cost would not be a constraint, but quality and speed must be maintained at the highest standards. The meeting also marked the first formal interaction with Colonel Parikshit Mehra, a globally acclaimed tunnel engineering expert who recently joined the Irrigation Department on deputation. The Minister expressed confidence that Mehra's expertise would help resolve long-pending technical challenges and fast-track the completion of the SLBC and other key tunnel projects. He also announced that General Harpal Singh, former Engineer-in-Chief of the Indian Army, would soon be appointed as an Honorary Advisor to strengthen the department's technical capacity and execution capabilities. Meanwhile, Uttam Kumar Reddy instructed officials to prepare a scientific and practical plan for optimal utilisation of water during the ongoing Kharif season. He said the plan must account for current reservoir levels, expected monsoon inflows, and the total ayacut that can be effectively served. He stressed the need for a clear and coordinated water release strategy based on real-time data, crop patterns, and the geography of ayacut areas. 'Our primary objective is to ensure that no farmer suffers due to lack of water. The entire department must work proactively, with foresight and accountability,' he said. He directed officials to closely monitor dams, reservoirs, canals, and related infrastructure, and to take preventive measures to avoid breaches, flooding, or damage. He instructed the department to stay in regular contact with the Disaster Management Wing and ensure strong inter-agency coordination for flood control.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Plans afoot to resume SLBC tunnel works
Hyderabad: The Telangana government is all set to resume tunnelling operations in the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC), where a cave-in had resulted in the death of eight workers in February this year. The government has roped in NGRI (National Geophysical Research Institute) and Geological Survey of India (GSI) to complete the tunnel works. Irrigation minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy conducted an in-depth review of the long-pending SLBC tunnel works and directed the officials to immediately resume remaining tunnel operations, including drilling and blasting. An estimated 10-km of tunnel work remains to be completed. Calling SLBC a crucial lifeline for Telangana, Uttam said its completion must be treated as a top priority and executed with urgency. The SLBC tunnel work is being taken up using the latest electromagnetic survey technology in collaboration with the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) and the Geological Survey of India (GSI). To ensure precise planning and seamless execution, the minister directed the officials to expedite the aerial LIDAR survey. He met earlier in the day with NGRI scientists to finalise the technical modalities of the survey. He reiterated that cost would not be a constraint, but quality and speed must be maintained at the highest standards. The meeting also marked the first formal interaction with Colonel Parikshit Mehra, a globally acclaimed tunnel engineering expert who has recently joined the Irrigation Department on deputation. The minister expressed confidence that Mehra's expertise would help resolve long-pending technical challenges and fast-track the completion of SLBC and other key tunnel projects. He also announced that General Harpal Singh, former Engineer-in-Chief of the Indian Army, would soon be appointed as Honorary Advisor to strengthen the department's technical capacity and execution capabilities. The minister also reviewed water availability across all major reservoirs in Telangana and directed the Irrigation Secretary and Engineer-in-Chief to prepare a scientific and practical plan for optimal utilisation of water during the ongoing Kharif season. He said the plan must take into account current reservoir levels, expected monsoon inflows, and the total ayacut that can be served effectively. He noted that the Irrigation and Agriculture departments had worked in close coordination during the previous Kharif and Yasangi seasons, leading to a record production of 281 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) of paddy.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Uttam urges swift completion of irrigation projects in Telangana
1 2 3 Hyderabad: Irrigation minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Sunday directed irrigation officials and implementing agencies to expedite the completion of all ongoing irrigation projects in the state, stressing that the Congress govt was committed to delivering more ayacut with less expenditure. He said that a comprehensive review of irrigation projects was held on May 14 at Jala Soudha with chief minister A Revanth Reddy, during which clear timelines were set for the completion of each ongoing and pending scheme. "All works must be taken up on a war footing. Special focus was being laid on speeding up five key projects in the combined Mahabubnagar district - Kalwakurthy, Nettempadu, Bhima, Koilsagar, and Palamuru-Ranga Reddy. The SLBC, Dindi, and Udayasamudram projects in the combined Nalgonda district, and the Sitarama project in the combined Khammam district, were also prioritised in the recent review. Completion of the Devadula and Gauravelli projects in North Telangana was also identified as a high priority," he said. He added that works on the Tummadihatti project would begin shortly. "We are exploring the most advanced technology available globally to continue the SLBC tunnel works. A Heliborne Electromagnetic Survey and LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) surveys would be conducted by involving the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) and other national institutions before resuming construction," he said.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Fate of 8 workers trapped in collapsed tunnel unknown even after 10 days
Eight workers trapped inside a collapsed tunnel in the southern Indian state of Telangana since 22 February remained out of contact despite multiple agencies working to rescue them. They were trapped when a tunnel section of the under-construction Srisailam Left Bank Canal in Nagarkurnool area collapsed. There were 50 workers inside the tunnel when it collapsed but 42 escaped. The fate of the rest was still unknown 10 days later. Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy said on Sunday that the exact location of the workers remained unknown. He said the over five-metre-deep layer of mud inside the tunnel had made it difficult for rescue teams to determine their precise whereabouts. Twelve agencies were reported to be involved in the rescue operation and specialists from both state and central governments were assisting them. Attempts to clear away silt from where the trapped engineers and labourers had been detected earlier inside the collapsed tunnel were intensifying as additional personnel and equipment was being deployed, The New Indian Express reported. An unnamed official told the paper on Sunday that a conveyor belt damaged by the collapse was expected to be repaired by Monday. Once operational, it would facilitate the removal of debris and sludge from the tunnel. 'The number of personnel and equipment at the identified locations is being increased,' he said, adding that the process of silt removal and dewatering was ongoing. It was reported over the weekend that scientists from the National Geophysical Research Institute had used ground penetrating radar to detect the positions of four of the eight trapped workers, and that they were expected to be rescued by the evening of 2 March. But the chief minister clarified on Sunday that their exact locations remained uncertain. The collapse of the 'world's longest irrigation tunnel' was triggered by a sudden inflow of water and soil, causing a section to cave in. An unidentified expert quoted by The Indian Express said that 'there was seepage of water from the hillocks above into the tunnel', which caused 'the mud to loosen and caused a mudslide'. They pointed out that mudslides were not common in tunnel construction. In this case, however, 'the tunnel was being dug at a place that was prone to mudslides, and the drilling triggered it'. #Telangana - SLBC Tunnel Rescue: Challenges PersistRescue operations at the SLBC tunnel continue, with teams advancing up to 14 km despite challenges from mud and silt. The process of cutting the TBM into pieces is underway. A joint effort by 11 agencies, including the Army,… — TeluguScribe Now (@TeluguScribeNow) March 3, 2025 Mr Reddy visited the site of the accident on Sunday and said the rescue was progressing but remained a complex operation. It could take another two to three days to locate the workers, he added. #WATCH | Hyderabad, Telangana: On the collapse of the SLBC tunnel and the ongoing rescue operations, BRS MLC K Kavitha says, "This is an unfortunate incident where labourers from many states have been stuck in the collapsed tunnel for many days. The rescue operation could have… — ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2025 'They are not able to come to a full understanding on where the humans and the machinery got stuck. They have a preliminary estimation, but not fully,' he said, referring to the rescuers. The Hindu reported that the leaders of key rescue agencies had informed Mr Reddy that clearing debris from the final 20 metres of the tunnel was the most difficult and challenging part of the rescue operation. #SLBCTunnelCollapse :Sniffer dogs were pressed into service by the Telangana govt to identify the 8 workers trapped inside the #Srisailam Left Bank Canal (#SLBC) tunnel in #Nagarkurnool The #SnifferDogs entered inside #SLBCTunnel along with #NDRF and #SDRF teams for… — Surya Reddy (@jsuryareddy) February 25, 2025 As the left flank and roof of this section was still unstable, with heavy water seepage ongoing, rescuers were considering alternative tunnel routes from 13.45km inside to connect with a more stable section of the original path. 'Actually, the operation is going on in full swing. Approximately twelve agencies are working around the clock to find the victims,' VVN Prasanna Kumar, National Disaster Response Force commandant, was quoted as saying by ANI news agency on Monday. 'Unfortunately, we have not been able to locate them so far.' #SLBCTunnelCollapse - #RescueOperation#Telangana Govt has intensified efforts to rescue 8 workers trapped, since 130 hrs, inside the #Srisailam Left Bank Canal (#SLBC) tunnel, by dewatering efforts to reduce water levels, remove the slush and debris from the #SLBCTunnel and… — Surya Reddy (@jsuryareddy) February 27, 2025 State lawmaker Payal Shankar assured that prime minister Narendra Modi was monitoring the situation and had provided all necessary assistance. 'PM Modi is in continuous contact with the state government and has sent all the help required,' she said. 'The rescue operation is underway. We hope that the eight people trapped inside come out safely.' The trapped workers were earlier identified as Manoj Kumar and Sri Niwas from Uttar Pradesh, Sunny Singh from Jammu and Kashmir, Gurpreet Singh from Punjab, and Sandeep Sahu, Jegta Xess, Santosh Sahu and Anuj Sahu from Jharkhand. Accidents related to large infrastructure projects are not uncommon in India. In 2023, a 17-day rescue operation saved 41 workers trapped in a partially collapsed Himalayan road tunnel in the northern state of Uttarakhand.
The Independent
03-03-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Fate of 8 workers trapped in collapsed tunnel unknown even after 10 days
Eight workers trapped inside a collapsed tunnel in the southern Indian state of Telangana since 22 February remained out of contact despite multiple agencies working to rescue them. They were trapped when a tunnel section of the under-construction Srisailam Left Bank Canal in Nagarkurnool area collapsed. There were 50 workers inside the tunnel when it collapsed but 42 escaped. The fate of the rest was still unknown 10 days later. Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy said on Sunday that the exact location of the workers remained unknown. He said the over five-metre-deep layer of mud inside the tunnel had made it difficult for rescue teams to determine their precise whereabouts. Twelve agencies were reported to be involved in the rescue operation and specialists from both state and central governments were assisting them. Attempts to clear away silt from where the trapped engineers and labourers had been detected earlier inside the collapsed tunnel were intensifying as additional personnel and equipment was being deployed, The New Indian Express reported. An unnamed official told the paper on Sunday that a conveyor belt damaged by the collapse was expected to be repaired by Monday. Once operational, it would facilitate the removal of debris and sludge from the tunnel. 'The number of personnel and equipment at the identified locations is being increased,' he said, adding that the process of silt removal and dewatering was ongoing. It was reported over the weekend that scientists from the National Geophysical Research Institute had used ground penetrating radar to detect the positions of four of the eight trapped workers, and that they were expected to be rescued by the evening of 2 March. But the chief minister clarified on Sunday that their exact locations remained uncertain. The collapse of the 'world's longest irrigation tunnel' was triggered by a sudden inflow of water and soil, causing a section to cave in. An unidentified expert quoted by The Indian Express said that 'there was seepage of water from the hillocks above into the tunnel', which caused 'the mud to loosen and caused a mudslide'. They pointed out that mudslides were not common in tunnel construction. In this case, however, 'the tunnel was being dug at a place that was prone to mudslides, and the drilling triggered it'. Mr Reddy visited the site of the accident on Sunday and said the rescue was progressing but remained a complex operation. It could take another two to three days to locate the workers, he added. 'They are not able to come to a full understanding on where the humans and the machinery got stuck. They have a preliminary estimation, but not fully,' he said, referring to the rescuers. The Hindu reported that the leaders of key rescue agencies had informed Mr Reddy that clearing debris from the final 20 metres of the tunnel was the most difficult and challenging part of the rescue operation. As the left flank and roof of this section was still unstable, with heavy water seepage ongoing, rescuers were considering alternative tunnel routes from 13.45km inside to connect with a more stable section of the original path. 'Actually, the operation is going on in full swing. Approximately twelve agencies are working around the clock to find the victims,' VVN Prasanna Kumar, National Disaster Response Force commandant, was quoted as saying by ANI news agency on Monday. 'Unfortunately, we have not been able to locate them so far.' State lawmaker Payal Shankar assured that prime minister Narendra Modi was monitoring the situation and had provided all necessary assistance. 'PM Modi is in continuous contact with the state government and has sent all the help required,' she said. 'The rescue operation is underway. We hope that the eight people trapped inside come out safely.' The trapped workers were earlier identified as Manoj Kumar and Sri Niwas from Uttar Pradesh, Sunny Singh from Jammu and Kashmir, Gurpreet Singh from Punjab, and Sandeep Sahu, Jegta Xess, Santosh Sahu and Anuj Sahu from Jharkhand. In 2023, a 17-day rescue operation saved 41 workers trapped in a partially collapsed Himalayan road tunnel in the northern state of Uttarakhand.
