In a major boost to border infrastructure including those areas facing China on the Line of Actual Control(LAC), Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday virtually dedicated to the nation, 75 projects of Border Roads Organisation(BRO)at a cost of Rs 2,236 crores.

These projects, 22 roads, 51 bridges and two others are spread across 11 States and Union Territories. Nineteen are in Jammu and Kashmir, 18 in Arunachal Pradesh, 11 in Ladakh, nine in Uttarakhand, six in Sikkim, five in Himachal Pradesh, two each in West Bengal and Rajasthan and one each in Nagaland, Mizoram and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

These strategically important infrastructure projects will ensure logistical backup to troops deployed on the frontline and lead to all round development of remote villages and areas through improved connectivity.

The Defence Minister inaugurated the projects from the Headquarters, Trishakti Corps in Sukna, West Bengal. One of the main highlights was the inauguration of the Kupup-Sherathang Road in Sikkim which serves as a crucial link between Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg and Zuluk axis.

In his address, Rajnath termed the projects as a testament to the government’s unwavering resolve to keep strengthening the border infrastructure and ensuring socio-economic progress of these areas.

He added that these projects will go a long way in enhancing the defence preparedness of the country. Prime Minister  Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat by 2047’ can be realised through such infrastructure projects, he said.

With the inauguration of these 75 projects, the BRO has completed a total of 111 infrastructure projects in 2024 at an overall cost of Rs 3,751 crore.

This includes 36 projects worth Rs 1,508 crore, such as the state-of-the-art Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh, inaugurated by the Prime Minister earlier this year. Last year, 125 infrastructure projects of BRO were dedicated to the nation at a cost of Rs 3,611 crore.

The defence minister commended the grit and determination of the BRO personnel for completing the projects in a time-bound manner even in most challenging terrains and harsh weather conditions, adding that the government, in its third term, aims to further bolster the border infrastructure with more promptness.

Referring to the increased allocation of Rs 6,500 crore for BRO in Union Budget 2024-25, he expressed hope that it would not only contribute to strategic infrastructure development, but will also prove helpful in socio-economic progress in the border areas, including the North East region.

Rajnath pointed out that the governments before 2014 were of the view that the development of border areas can have an adverse impact as it may be used by the country’s adversaries.

He emphasised that border infrastructure development has been the priority area of Prime Minister Modi-led Government ever since it came to power as these regions, especially the North-east, is crucial from the socio-economic and strategic perspectives.

“In the last decade, we have built a vast network of roads from villages to cities, which has resulted in the country witnessing progress at an unprecedented pace,” he said.

The defence minister assured the people that new dimensions will be added to the development of border areas. India will be one of the safest and strongest nations in the times to come, he said.

Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Defence Secretary-designate R K Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command Lt General Ram Chander Tiwari, Director General Border Roads Lt General Raghu Srinivasan, General Officer Commanding, Trishakti Corps Lt General Zubin A Minwalla were present with the defence minister during the virtual inauguration, while Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang was at the main site in Sherathang.

Governors of Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram; Lt Governors of Jammu and Kashmir and  Ladakh and Chief Ministers of Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand were among those who attended the event virtually.

News agency PTI reported from Itanagar, 18 projects in  Arunachal Pradesh include three key roads, 14 bridges, and a helipad executed under the Brahmank, Vartak, and Udayak projects.

Under Project Vartak, three crucial roads have been completed, totaling 25.29 km. These are T Gompa-Lungrola road (13.26 km) built at a cost of Rs 25.46 crore, the Y Jn Pt 4474 road (5.83 km) costing Rs 47.05 crore, and the Lungrola-Triple Heights road (6.20 km) constructed at a cost of Rs 66.63 crore. The overall expenditure on these road projects amounts to Rs 139.14 crore, an official statement said.  Several bridges have also been constructed to enhance transportation access.

Notable projects include the Shoochu Bridge, spanning 42.70 metre on the Lungro GG-Damteng Road, built at a cost of Rs 11.20 crore under Project Vartak, it said.

The 75-metre Amartala-I Bridge on the Orang-Kalkatang-Shergaon-Rupa-Tenga Road has been built at a cost of Rs 12.78 crore. The 50-metre Daung Bridge on the Balipara-Charduar-Tawang Road was completed at a cost of Rs 7.36 crore, while the Tawangchu-III Bridge on Lumla BTK-Zimithang Road spanning 45 metres was built at a cost of Rs 3.77 crore, the statement said.

Additional projects include the Ismei Sieko Bridge on TCC-Maza Road (30.48 m) costing Rs 4.29 crore and the Bogung Bridge on the Nachu-TCC Road (36.57 metre) costing Rs 5.03 crore, it added.

Minor bridges completed under Project Brahmank on the Ditte-Dimme-Migging Road include the 35-metre Shuku Sokong Bridge built at Rs 3.64 crore and the 85-metre Namti Bridge on Chanwinti-Walong-Namti Road built at Rs 14.55 crore. The Imupani Bridge along the Anini-Mipi highway was completed at Rs 3.32 crore under Project Udayak, the statement said.

The total cost of these bridge projects is Rs 73.03 crore, significantly enhancing road connectivity in Arunachal Pradesh. A helipad was also inaugurated to boost accessibility in the region.

Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt General(retired) KT Parnaik, who participated virtually from Itanagar, emphasised the strategic importance of these projects for the state and the nation.

“These completed projects will enhance national security, improve surface and air communication, and boost tourism in the state,” he said.

Parnaik expressed gratitude to the central government on behalf of the people of the state for successfully implementing these vital projects.

“These infrastructures will promote socio-economic development, especially in border areas, supporting the Vibrant Border Village programme and the state government’s ‘Seva Aapke Dwar’ initiative, which brings administration directly to the people,” he added.  Chief Minister Pema Khandu also participated in the virtual inauguration from his office in Itanagar.