The Telangana Government initiated an aerial survey for Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy along with Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy will personally monitor the survey and will present during commencement of the Heli borne operations.

The Alimineti Madhava Reddy Project (AMRP), launched in 1983, aims to irrigate 3 lakh acres in drought-prone Nalgonda district and supply drinking water to fluoride-affected villages, using 3 TMC of Krishna River water. A key component, Tunnel 1 of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC), spans 43.93 km from the Srisailam reservoir. So far, 13.94 km from the inlet side and 20.4 km from the outlet side have been excavated, leaving 9.8 km remaining. Once completed, it will be the world's longest tunnel constructed without intermediate access, a record-breaking achievement. The tunnel’s path passes beneath a reserve forest, cutting through quarzitic and granitic rocks, crossing 15 nalas, including four perennial streams, with no side access due to technical constraints.

Meanwhile, a lift irrigation scheme costing over Rs. 500 crore annually is in place, using high electricity to pump water since gravity flow isn’t yet feasible. The project faced delays, notably after a devastating flood in October 2009 submerged the TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine). Progress averaged only 75 meters per month due to fault zones, shear zones, and poor geology.

On February 22, 2025, a geological incident flooded 2.5 km of the tunnel, burying the 130-meter TBM and trapping eight workers who lost their lives. A technical committee was formed to recommend advanced tunneling methods, including observational techniques and scientific monitoring. The Telangana cabinet approved this approach in October 2025, aiming to complete the tunnel by mid-2028 within budget.

Experts also advised conducting a helicopter-borne VTEM Plus Magnetic Geophysical Survey to assess the subsurface geology, with over 200 km of helicopter flights over the alignment. 

Led by top scientists from the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), this survey will detect shear zones and water bodies, aiding safer excavation.

To ensure the project's success, the Telangana government has assembled a specialized technical committee, involving top tunnel and rock mechanics engineers, and engaged Lt Gen Harpal Singh as an advisor and Col Parikshit Mehra as a consultant for the remaining work. Upon completion, the tunnel will mark a significant engineering milestone for India and Telangana.