Hyderabad

Roads & Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy said that nearly 80% of the tunnel works under the SLBC project had been completed.

The completion of the tunnel was essential for providing irrigation water for two crop seasons and assured that the Congress government was committed to finishing the project, he said in Nalgonda on Sunday.

He alleged that the previous BRS government had neglected the project and noted that tunnel work had resumed under the present administration despite setbacks, including a tragic accident that claimed eight lives.

Mr. Venkat Reddy further announced that a major road project worth ₹13,600 crore would be taken up under the Hybrid Annuity Model from Dharveshpuram through Kanagal, Gurrampode and Devarakonda to Dindi. The tendering process has been completed and plans were underway to launch the project through Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy at a public meeting proposed next month.

The Minister also revealed that canal lining works under the SLBC project were being taken up at a cost of ₹450 crore. Referring to ongoing paddy procurement operations, he urged BJP leaders to focus on securing support for farmers from the Centre, remarking that they should undertake a march to Delhi rather than organise bus yatras within the state.

Earlier, the Minister conducted a surprise inspection of the government junior college building being constructed at a cost of ₹6 crore in Kanagal mandal headquarters of Nalgonda district. He alleged that the previous BRS government had neglected the education sector during its decade-long rule.