In a significant milestone for India’s border infrastructure, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh dedicated 90 vital infrastructure projects constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to the nation.
Rajnath Singh, arrived in Jammu on Tuesday, to inaugurate and dedicate 90 Infrastructure Projects to the country constructed by Border Road Organisation (BRO) with a cost of Rs 2941cr.
These projects, including the Nechiphu Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh, two airfields in West Bengal, two helipads, 22 roads, and 63 bridges, underline the BRO’s unwavering commitment to enhancing India’s border infrastructure. Notably, 36 projects are located in Arunachal Pradesh, 26 in Ladakh, 11 in Jammu and Kashmir, five in Mizoram, and additional projects in Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Nagaland, Rajasthan, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
The BRO has accomplished the construction of these projects within record timeframes, primarily during a single working season, employing cutting-edge technology.
In his address, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the BRO as a crucial ally of the Armed Forces, emphasizing that through its infrastructure endeavours, the BRO not only safeguards India’s borders but also fosters socio-economic development in remote regions.
“Your job is not only to connect one place to another by building roads, but at the same time you also have to connect the hearts of people with your actions. I believe that construction should be such that it should be inspired by the spirit of for the people, of the people and by the people,” Singh said.
He further said that BRO, as an institution, will have to continuously work with the local bodies and the people in any project going on in the border areas.
“The timely completion of these far-flung infrastructure projects reflects the dedication of BRO personnel and the government’s commitment under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Rajnath Singh said and asserted that this achievement has become the new normal for a resurgent India.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister inaugurated the 422.9-meter-long Class 70 RCC Devak Bridge on Bishnah-Kaulpur-Phulpur Road in Jammu and Kashmir, enhancing operational readiness for the Armed Forces and promoting regional socio-economic development.
A 500-meter-long tunnel on Balipara-Charduar-Tawang Road in Arunachal Pradesh, providing all-weather connectivity to the strategic Tawang Region.
These airfields, reconstructed at a cost exceeding Rs 500 crore, bolster the preparedness of the Indian Air Force and support commercial flight operations in the region.
Rajnath Singh laid the foundation stone for Nyoma Airfield in Eastern Ladakh, expected to be one of the world’s highest, enhancing the IAF’s capabilities along the Northern border.
Singh expressed confidence that the BRO would soon set another record with the construction of Shinkun La Tunnel, the world’s highest tunnel connecting Lahaul-Spiti in Himachal to the Zaskar Valley in Ladakh.
He emphasized that the BRO’s border infrastructure development not only enhances national security but also promotes connectivity and cooperation with neighbouring countries, citing infrastructure projects in Myanmar and Bhutan as examples.
Rajnath Singh lauded the BRO’s approach as a shining example of civil-military fusion, highlighting the need for cooperation between civilians and soldiers in ensuring national security. He called upon the BRO to involve local communities and gather their input for projects in border areas.
Recognizing the importance of environmental responsibility, Rajnath Singh commended the BRO for its eco-conscious approach and urged them to maintain a balance between development and environmental protection.
With the inauguration of these 90 projects, a total of 295 infrastructure projects by the BRO, with a combined cost of approximately Rs 8,000 crore, have been dedicated to the nation since 2021, reaffirming India’s commitment to strengthening its border infrastructure and ensuring national security.
