Sleemanabad Tunnel to emerge as lifeline for Katni, Rewa, Satna, Maihar and Panna, says CM Mohan Yadav; project set to become engineering case study
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.
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.
CM Dr. Mohan Yadav expressed gratitude on behalf of the people of Madhya Pradesh to PM Narendra Modi for supporting the project. He said the Central Government contributed nearly Rs 275 crore towards the project's total cost of over Rs 1,600 crore. He said the State Government's commitment has enabled the challenging tunnel project to reach completion.
CM described the tunnel as a boon for farmers and traders. He said 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
CM 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.
Farmers Urged Not to Sell Land
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the Son command area will provide irrigation to 1,04,970 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.
CM 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 described the project as a major gift for Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand. He said that it would fulfil the aspirations of the people.
CM Dr. Mohan 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.
Tunnel Constructed Without Environmental or Structural Damage
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
Dr. Yadav said that 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.