Telangana to Launch Heli-Borne VTEM Survey for SLBC Tunnel on Nov. 3

Overview

• Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy will oversee the start of the heli-borne operations in Nagarkurnool district on Monday.
• The VTEM Plus survey will fly roughly 200 km with a 24‑metre transmitter loop to collect data that can image geological features about 800–1,000 metres deep.
• Officials say the goal is to identify shear zones and water bodies along the remaining alignment so excavation methods can be adapted for safe, sustained progress.
• The push follows the February 22 collapse that flooded 2.5 km of Tunnel‑1, buried a 130‑metre TBM, and resulted in eight deaths, prompting expert reviews and new protocols.
• Excavation stands at about 13.94 km from the inlet and 20.4 km from the outlet, leaving roughly 9.8 km of the 43.93‑km tunnel, a key AMRP link to deliver Krishna water for irrigation and drinking supply.