New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually inaugurated 75 infrastructure projects constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) on Saturday, with a total cost of Rs 2,236 crore. These projects include 22 roads, 51 bridges, and two additional infrastructure developments across 11 states and union territories in India.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the distribution of the projects is as follows: 19 projects in Jammu & 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 project each in Nagaland, Mizoram, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The Defence Minister inaugurated the projects from the Trishakti Corps Headquarters in Sukna, West Bengal. Among the key highlights was the opening of the Kupup-Sherathang Road in Sikkim, which provides a vital connection between Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg and the Zuluk axis.
In his address, Rajnath Singh highlighted these projects as evidence of the government’s commitment to strengthening border infrastructure and promoting socio-economic development in these regions. He emphasized that these projects are crucial for enhancing the country's defence readiness. The Defence Minister linked these developments to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat by 2047’, stressing that such initiatives are instrumental in realizing this goal.
With the completion of these 75 projects, the BRO has completed a total of 111 infrastructure projects in 2024, amounting to Rs 3,751 crore. This includes 36 major projects, like the Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh, which was inaugurated by the Prime Minister earlier this year. In comparison, last year, 125 BRO projects were completed at a cost of Rs 3,611 crore.
Rajnath Singh praised the BRO personnel for their dedication in completing the projects within set timelines, despite challenging terrains and harsh weather. He stated that in its third term, the government aims to further accelerate border infrastructure development. He also highlighted the increased allocation of Rs 6,500 crore for the BRO in the Union Budget 2024-25, expressing optimism that this funding will not only support strategic infrastructure but also facilitate socio-economic growth, particularly in the North-East region.
Reflecting on past governments, Singh noted that before 2014, there was a belief that developing border areas could be exploited by adversaries. However, he affirmed that since the Modi government took office, developing border infrastructure has been a priority, as these regions, especially the North-East, are crucial both strategically and socio-economically. He concluded by expressing confidence that India’s expanding network of roads, from rural to urban areas, is driving unprecedented progress. Singh assured that further efforts will be made to develop border areas, promising that India will become one of the safest and strongest nations in the future.
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