KCR ignored SLBC, other irrigation projects: Revanth Reddy

Launching a tirade against BRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao and Union Minister G Kishan Reddy, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Sunday alleged that Rao, who was CM for 10 years, ignored irrigation projects, including SLBC where the tunnel collapsed partially. Reddy, who addressed a public meeting at Wanaparthy after attending several development programmes, alleged that Kishan Reddy is playing the role of 'Saindhav' by stalling the state's development projects, though Prime Minister Narendra Modi is positive. "Though we (previous Congress governments) started SLBC and completed 32 kms (of tunnel), you carried out two of 10 kms and left it to dry up. SLBC project collapsed as work stopped...Is it not your sin, Chandrasekhar Rao," he asked.
Reddy alleged that the last government had also not released funds to the contract agency which has been awarded the tunnel works. The previous government also stopped power supply for not paying power dues by the agency. Due to disruption in power supply, the contract agency halted the tunnel works in some places. The Congress government took up the tunnel works of the prestigious SLBC project at the fast pace soon after coming to power in the state. The State Government cleared the pending bills and addressed technical problems by discussing with the technical experts, imported spare parts of the tunnel equipment from America, he said. The tragic incident in the tunnel is unfortunate and it is an accident only. All should be united above politics and solve the issue when such a big disaster happens. We should sympathize with the affected families and support them irrespective of the affiliation with the government or the opposition, Reddy added.
Reddy said, "Eleven departments, including the Army and tunnel experts, are working round the clock on the relief operations. Wholehearted congratulations to all the teams. We have not been able to assess the condition of the eight people trapped in the tunnel yet." 
Giving details of the situation, CM Reddy informed that officials say that it will take another two to three days to resolve this issue. The conveyor belt has been damaged, making it difficult to remove slush and soil mounds inside the tunnel. It will be easier to remove soil once the conveyor belt is repaired by tomorrow. The authorities have not yet fully assessed where the 8 people are trapped inside and the missionary was damaged. Reviewing the steps taken since the day one of the accident occurred and the present situation.