Project News Detail
| Project No : | 206485 |
|---|---|
| Project Title : | Irrigation Project Veligonda advances as HC clears dismantling of TBM |
| Company Name : | Private Company |
| Project Detail : | The High Court has given approval for dismantling a tunnel boring machine (TBM) stuck in the Veligonda irrigation project, paving the way for renewed progress on one of Andhra Pradesh’s key water infrastructure initiatives. The project involves twin tunnels being built through the Nallamala hills to divert Krishna River water to drought-prone regions including Prakasam, Nellore, and Kadapa districts. Work had remained stalled after one of the imported TBMs became trapped deep inside the tunnel, creating technical challenges and delaying the project for years. With the court’s clearance, the Water Resources Department has begun preparations to dismantle the 115-mtrs.-long machine in sections under expert supervision. The decision follows prolonged legal and contractual disputes involving the original contractor and a financing bank, with the court stressing that public interest and timely completion of infrastructure projects must take priority. Earlier, advanced TBMs were used due to environmental restrictions in the wildlife-sensitive Nallamala region, avoiding blasting methods. Officials estimate that dismantling will take around three to four months. Once completed, the project is expected to resume full-scale tunnel works, enabling the eventual release of Krishna River waters and improving irrigation access and agricultural stability in the region. |
| Project Location : | Not Classified - Andhra Pradesh - India |
| Project Estimation : | Refer Document |
| Status : | Announced |