Wed Feb 26 14:37:11 UTC 2025: ## Telangana Minister and Former BRO Chief Join Forces in Tunnel Rescue Operation

**Hyderabad, February 26, 2025** – A unique collaboration between Telangana’s Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and former Director-General of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Lt. Gen. Harpal Singh, is underway in the rescue operation following the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel collapse. Both are alumni of the National Defence Academy (NDA), class of 1979-82, though Reddy served in the Air Force and Singh in the Army.

Reddy, a former fighter pilot, contacted Lt. Gen. Singh, known for his expertise in roads and tunnels, seeking his assistance. Singh’s advice has provided a clearer strategy for locating the eight missing personnel. The minister praised the efforts of the BRO team, specifically highlighting the contributions of former Additional DG K. P. Purushothaman, who personally crawled to the tunnel’s end, and Colonel Parikshit Mehra, a tunnel engineering expert. The collaborative effort is injecting new energy and a scientific approach into the ongoing rescue operation.

Read More