Hyderabad: The state government is speeding up land acquisition and relief efforts for ongoing and pending projects. Two experts from the Army, skilled in tunnel engineering, will soon join to accelerate tunnel construction.
State Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy directed officials to prioritize the Palamuru Rangareddy and Sitarama Sagar projects. He urged them to ensure these projects are completed on time.
During a review meeting on Saturday, the minister evaluated the status of various district projects, highlighting major obstacles. He pointed out that delays in land acquisition are significantly affecting project timelines and costs. To address this, he stressed the importance of working closely with landowners and communities. Transparent and sensitive handling of compensation, rehabilitation, and resettlement is crucial. “Delays could lead to public backlash and legal issues, halting progress,” he cautioned.
Uttam emphasized that the Palamuru-Rangareddy and Sitarama Sagar projects are essential for irrigating drought-prone areas. He called for uninterrupted progress at every stage, from canal work to tunnel construction.
Tunnel work is vital for several projects, particularly where the landscape makes open canals unfeasible. To enhance technical expertise, the Telangana Irrigation Department will enlist two distinguished Army officers with significant tunnel construction experience. General Harpal Singh, former Engineer-in-Chief of the Indian Army, will serve as an honorary advisor.
Colonel Parikshit Mehra, an internationally recognized tunnel engineering expert, will join the department full-time. Both have been instrumental in building the Rohtang and Zojila tunnels, among India’s most challenging infrastructure projects.
