Tunnel works to begin in Seshachalam hills

Tirupati: Despite strong objections from the public, works for the tunnel digging for laying pipeline to supply Handri Neeva Sujala Sravanthi (HNSS) water upto the Nagari will start soon according to the orders received earlier from the state government.

The irrigation officials say that they will act according to the orders and the work will start soon. The executive engineers said that they have no knowledge about Aagama Shastras and also they did not receive any instructions from the government regarding the same in boring the tunnel. It will go through Seshachalam hills which will pass through Alipiri at a length of 25 km for the two tunnels that will connect at the zoo park in a canal which will pass via Chandragiri, Ramachan-drapuram, and Puttur to Nagari.

It may be noted that strong oppositions were voiced by the farmers and public for digging the tunnel through the sacred seven hills which is aga-inst the Aagama Shastras. The Tirumala temple priests have also condemned the move of the government.

“The proposed Balaji reservoir works will start soon at a budget of Rs 125 crore with 3.15km bund around it to which the HNSS water will be supplied for storing. The water then will be pum-ped to the canal which will end at Nagari after completion of the tunnel work in the seven hills,” said irrigation executive engineer Ramanaiah.

The tunnel work that  includes canal construction that would cost Rs 470 crore for a stretch of 5. 9 kms to supply HNSS water for irrigation and drinking needs, will start soon.

“The work will start soon and we will dig the tunnel through the Sesh-achalam hills as per the instructions frm the state government,”E.E. Gopal Reddy told this newspaper.