NDA batchmates join hands in SLBC rescue mission

Former armed forces officers, including a politician and an engineer, join forces for a successful rescue mission in a tunnel collapse.

It’s a coincidence of a rare kind that two former armed forces officers met each other in different roles to join hands in Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel collapse rescue.

While one is a fighter pilot-turned-politician, Flight Lieutenant N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, presently Irrigation Minister of Telangana, the other is Lieutenant General Harpal Singh, former Director-General of Border Roads Organisation. Incidentally, both are illustrious alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakvasla, near Pune, from the 1979-82 batch. While Mr. Uttam got into the Air Force, Harpal Singh was selected into the Army.

Mr. Uttam went onto the serve in the Indian Air Force from 1982 to 1992 and flew MiG 21 and 23 in various squadrons. He also served in the President of India’s Secretariat before venturing into politics.

Mr. Reddy told The Hindu that Mr. Harpal Singh had the distinction of being longest serving Lieutenant General in the Indian Army and also the Engineer-in-Chief, and is an expert in roads and tunnels in the country.

After retiring from the Air Force, Mr Reddy, who was a Lok Sabha member, happened to re-connect with Lt. Gen. Harpal Singh then Director-General of Border Roads Organisation.

The SLBC tunnel collapse accident prompted Mr. Reddy to reach out to the former DG of BRO. “I called him the other day and he readily agreed to share his expertise in handling the grave situation,” Mr. Uttam said as he accompanied the senior team from BRO to Domalapenta on Wednesday.

“I am happy and a relieved man as the suggestions made by Lt. Gen. Harpal Singh has now given a clearer road map on tracing the eight missing personnel from the SLBC tunnel. He has shown us a scientific fool proof way forward,” the Minister remarked.