Telangana govt appoints former Army engineer Harpal Singh as irrigation projects advisor

Hyderabad: The Irrigation and CAD department has appointed Lt Gen Harpal Singh (Retd) as an advisor to the Government of Telangana. The department plans to use his expertise in troubleshooting and accelerating the numerous irrigation tunnels being undertaken by the Government of Telangana.

Changes to the irrigation department

The Irrigation and CAD department is currently witnessing a revamp and resurgence with impetus on modern methods, technology absorption and capability building.

Appointment of domain experts, restructuring of the design department and inculcation of deliberate technical planning processes are some of the facets which are already seeing the light of the day, the government said in a public statement.

Improving scientific temper

Irrigation and CAD Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy has been advising the department to continuously leverage technology and develop an improved scientific temper to progress the works faster while ensuring international quality and safety standards alike.

Lt Gen Harpal Singh’s experience

Lt Gen Harpal Singh is an accomplished officer with over 40 years of experience in the Indian military, specialising in the strategic infrastructure of the Indian Defence Forces. He has extensive experience in guiding large civil infrastructure projects with expertise in the deployment of advanced technology and solutions.

As Director General of Border Roads Organisation and as Engineer in Chief of the Indian Army, he had been instrumental in the development of Strategic Tunnels and many other underground infrastructure assets for defence forces.

Worked on Atal Tunnel

He has been the critical force behind the completion of the Atal Tunnel under Rohtang Pass, the progress of the Theing Tunnel in Sikkim, Sela and Nechiphu Tunnels in Arunachal Pradesh and also planning of many other tunnels along the border passes in the most uncongenial Himalayan Geology.

He is a civil engineer and has specialised in infrastructure development, including PG courses from the USA.

Owing to his experience and unique academic qualifications, he holds many prestigious posts in various civil engineering bodies, including the following:

- President, International Road Federation

- Vice Chairman, Institution of Civil Engineers (India)

- Chairman, Indian Institute of Bridge Engineers

- Vice President, Construction Industry Development Council