Sleemanabad Tunnel to Emerge as Lifeline for Katni, Rewa, Satna, Maihar and Panna: CM Dr. Yadav

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said that the Vindhya region is endowed with abundant natural resources, but several areas continue to face water scarcity. The Sleemanabad Tunnel will serve as a lifeline for the districts of Katni, Rewa, Satna, Maihar and Panna. With the blessings of Lord Shri Ram, the project will expand irrigation coverage across nearly 2.5 lakh hectares in the Chitrakoot region and these five Vindhya Valley districts. It will also help address drinking water shortages, while hydroelectric power generation will be undertaken at select locations. The project will play a decisive role in fulfilling the State Government’s commitment to expanding irrigation coverage.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said, expressing gratitude on behalf of the people of Madhya Pradesh to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for supporting the project, that the Central Government contributed nearly ₹275 crore towards the project’s total cost of over ₹1,600 crore. He said the State Government’s commitment has enabled the challenging tunnel project to reach completion. He said, describing the tunnel as a boon for farmers and traders, that the nearly 12-km-long project would become a landmark case study in engineering. Designed to remain structurally safe for 100 years, even in the event of a major earthquake, the tunnel reaches depths of up to 120 feet below ground at several locations. The Chief Minister shared these details while interacting with the media after inspecting the Sleemanabad Tunnel.

Maa Narmada to Bring Greenery to Ganga Basin

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that while the Narmada River naturally flows into the Gulf of Khambhat, it is a remarkable achievement of modern engineering that the waters of Maa Narmada will now reach the Son River region in the Ganga basin through this historic tunnel, bringing greenery and prosperity to the area. He recalled that there was a time when completing the tunnel seemed almost impossible. The Chief Minister said that when the resolve is strong and work is carried out with sincerity, success is inevitable. Despite repeated challenges posed by difficult rock formations, the entire team remained committed to completing the Narmada Tunnel.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav noted that Madhya Pradesh once had only 7.5 lakh hectares under irrigation. During successive governments under the present leadership, this increased to 44 lakh hectares, and has further expanded to 65 lakh hectares over the past two-and-a-half years. Declared as the Farmer Welfare Year, this year marks another significant milestone with the Narmada Tunnel Project. Within the next three months, irrigation water will be made available for Rabi crops across one lakh hectares.

Farmers Urged Not to Sell Land-Baghelkhand and Bundelkhand Poised for Transformation

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that with a discharge capacity of 152 cumecs, the Son command area will provide irrigation to 104,970 hectares in Satna district, 54,227 hectares in Maihar district, 21,823 hectares in Katni district, 3,532 hectares in Rewa district and 448 hectares in Panna district, covering a total command area of approximately 1.85 lakh hectares. He added that canal construction is progressing rapidly. He further said that the project is unique because while the waters of the Narmada River will flow through the tunnel, the Katni River will continue to flow above it. The Chief Minister, describing the project as a major gift for Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand, said that it would fulfil the aspirations of the people. He commended the Irrigation Department for its exemplary work under highly challenging conditions.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav appealed to farmers not to sell their land under any circumstances. He expressed confidence that the region would one day surpass Punjab and Haryana in agricultural prosperity, help curb migration and usher in lasting economic prosperity. He said the State Government continues to fulfil major commitments during the ‘Krishak Kalyan Varsh’. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that this historic achievement has been made possible through the tireless efforts of engineers, officers and employees of the Narmada Valley Development Authority, along with thousands of workers. During the inspection, the Chief Minister interacted warmly with the workers engaged in the tunnel’s construction, encouraged them, and commended their invaluable contribution to this landmark project.

Tunnel Constructed Without Environmental or Structural Damage

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the tunnel has been safely constructed beneath the National Highway, railway line, underground crossings and inhabited areas without causing any structural damage. He added that the project was completed without causing any adverse impact on the environment. Rehabilitation, compensation and resettlement of project-affected families were carried out with utmost sensitivity, transparency and fairness.

Engineers, Technicians and Workers Overcame Every Challenge

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that construction of the tunnel began with work being carried out round the clock in three eight-hour shifts. By 2015, only 1,406 metres of tunnel boring had been completed, making it necessary to accelerate progress. From 2016 onwards, excavation from the upstream end was undertaken using an advanced tunnel boring machine imported from Germany.

Although the engineering challenges continued to grow, engineers, technicians and workers remained committed to the project while adhering to the highest safety standards. After years of sustained effort, the tunnel was successfully completed in 2026. Once operational, it will expand irrigation coverage by nearly 2.5 lakh hectares across the upstream and downstream command areas.

Minister of State for Urban Development and Housing Smt. Pratima Bagri, Member of Parliament Shri Vishnu Dutt Sharma, MLAs Shri Sandeep Jaiswal and Shri Sanjay Pathak, along with senior officials, were present during the media interaction.