Ex-BRO Chief Named Telangana Advisor on Irrigation

Rapid Summary:

• Lt. Gen. Harpal Singh (Retd), former Director General of Border Roads Organisation (BRO), has been appointed as an advisor to the Government of telangana.
• His expertise will be utilized by the Irrigation and Command Area development department to troubleshoot and accelerate irrigation tunnel projects.
• He will serve in this position for two years, without receiving any remuneration.
• Lt.Gen.Singh has over 40 years of experience in the indian military and specializes in strategic infrastructure development with advanced technology deployment skills for civil projects.
• Notable achievements include his role in developing underground infrastructure such as Atal Tunnel under Rohtang Pass, Theing Tunnel in Sikkim, and other tunnels along Himalayan border passes like Sela & Nechiphu Tunnels.
• During the February collapse of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel, irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy sought his assistance due to his technical expertise; both are alumni from NDA’s 1979-82 batch.
• Singh is affiliated with prestigious engineering bodies, holding positions such as president of International Road Federation and vice chairman at institution of Civil Engineers (India).

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The appointment of Lt. Gen Harpal Singh as an advisor to Telangana signals a strong commitment by the state government toward leveraging specialized expertise for it’s ambitious irrigation infrastructure plans. With proven experience handling complex tunneling projects in challenging terrains-such as those at high altitudes or unstable geologies-his involvement could optimize project execution timelines while mitigating risks.

His decision to serve pro bono reflects a dedication not only to national development but also possibly strengthens collaboration between civilian authorities and retired defense personnel with relevant technical knowledge. This partnership may inspire other states facing similar infrastructural challenges to adopt comparable models, aligning military engineers’ competence with civilian mega-projects.

With India’s ongoing focus on improving water management systems amid climate uncertainties, Telangana’s strategic move could set a precedent for tapping into specialized skill sets available domestically rather than relying solely on external consultants for critical advisories.

Read more: The Hindu