Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated 44 bridges constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in seven States and Union Territories via video conference on Monday. These include eight bridges in Uttarakhand, eight in Arunachal Pradesh, two in Himachal Pradesh, 10 in Jammu and Kashmir, eight in Ladakh and four each in Punjab and Sikkim. The total span of the eight bridges inaugurated in Uttarakhand is 390 metres.
Speaking on the occasion, inauguration of so many bridges and laying the foundation for a tunnel at one time is a big record. This will bring about a new era of connectivity and development in the border areas. India shares a considerable length of border with Pakistan and China where tensions are not uncommon. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, these problems are being faced successfully, he said. Singh further said that the BRO has played an important role in the defence and development of border areas. The construction of the bridges inaugurated on Monday will help fulfil local aspirations while also assist the army in transporting essential commodities. Appreciating the BRO, the union minister said that in the past four-five years, the budgetary allocation to the organisation has been increased three folds and the results of this change are also being seen.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat thanked the union minister and congratulated the BRO personnel for construction of 44 bridges in the border regions. Apart from the strategic importance of these bridges, the locals will also benefit considerably from these. The bridges constructed in Uttarakhand will also prove helpful for the tourists and the pilgrims under the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. This development will also have a positive impact on the economy of the region. The CM further said that the demand for bridges in the Pithoragarh region was a long standing demand and seemed to be like a dream. Now this dream of the people in the region has been fulfilled. Constructing high quality bridges in a short time in such difficult terrain shows the commitment of the government and the capabilities of the BRO, added Rawat.
Union ministers Jitendra Singh, Kiren Rijiju, MP Ajay Tamta, chief of defence staff, general Bipin Rawat, army chief general MM Naravane, BRO DGP Harpal Singh, chief ministers of the states concerned, lieutenant governors of the union territories and senior officials were also present on the occasion.
