Faced with China rapidly improving its infrastructure including roads all along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday urged the Border Roads Organisation(BRO)to further enhance its capability through optimum use to technology and strive to strengthen the infrastructure of the border areas at a faster pace.
He also said “the Chinese presence has increased in the Northern sector in the recent past. Due to their proficiency in construction in mountainous areas, they manage to reach different places very quickly. The BRO must continue to work in parallel and focus on increasing their capability with full use of technology.”
This was in apparent reference to the persisting stand-offs for the past two years in Eastern Ladakh between the Indian and Chinese armies. Both the sides have ramped up their military strength besides infrastructure development including roads, bridges, airfields and helipads in the border areas.
Addressing the BRO personnel on the occasion of its 63rd Raising Day, Rajnath also said the government, on its part, is making all efforts to provide the required support to the BRO in this direction.
He mentioned about the recent announcement of increase of capital budget of the BRO by 40% to Rs 3,500 crore in Financial Year 2022-23, reiterating the government’s commitment to the country's security and development of border areas.
Rajnath described the development of border areas as a major part of the government’s comprehensive defence strategy, noting that it will bolster the security apparatus of the country and bring a positive change in the lives of people residing in remote areas.
Underlining the importance of roads, bridges and tunnels in the progress of a nation, Rajnath said the projects completed by the BRO have enhanced the operational preparedness of the Armed Forces and improved the socio-economic conditions of the people living in far-flung areas.
It is pertinent to mention that with just two projects in 1960 - Project Tusker in the East and Project Beacon in the North - the BRO has today become a vibrant organisation with 18 projects in various states.
It has constructed over 60,000 kilometres of roads, over 840 bridges, four tunnels and 19 airfields under adverse climatic and geographical conditions along India's borders as well as in friendly foreign countries, thus contributing towards our strategic objectives.
In 2021-22, a total of 102 infrastructure projects - 87 bridges and 15 roads - were completed by the BRO - the most in a single year. This included construction of world’s longest highway tunnel, above 10,000 feet Atal Tunnel, Rohtang and world highest motorable road over Umling La in Eastern Ladakh.
For the first time in the history of the BRO, women officers were given the command of Units, with three road construction companies (RCCs) being currently commanded by them. It also created the first-ever All Women RCC in Joshimath, Uttarakhand.
