Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today inaugurated and dedicated 75 infrastructure Projects to the Nation at a cost of Rs 2236 Cr. During the occasion Shri Prem Singh Tamang, Chief Minister of Sikkim, COAS Gen Upendra Dwivedi, Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane and many other dignitaries were also present.
In a ceremony organised by the Border Roads Organisation in Sikkim, the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri E-inaugurated 22 Roads, 51 Bridges and 02 other miscellaneous projects. These Infrastructure Projects have been constructed under challenging weather conditions at places with most inhospitable terrain.
Notably, BRO completed the construction of these critical strategic projects in record time frame. Out of these Projects 19 have been constructed in UT of J&K, 11 in UT of Ladakh, 18 in Arunachal Pradesh, 09 in Uttrakhand, 06 in Sikkim, 05 in Himachal Pradesh, 02 each in West Bengal and Rajasthan and 01 each in Nagaland, Mizoram and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
BRO’s surge in road and bridge construction in the last one year has led to completion of many critical and strategic projects which has bolstered our defence preparedness vis a vis that of our adversaries. In last one year BRO has constructed two tunnels in Arunachal Pradesh, Sela and Nechiphu Tunnel and connected the farthest and most remote villages of the country. With this the connectivity in the remote border areas has increased manifold and will help in improving the defence preparedness in these strategic areas and will also bring socio-economic development in the region.
Speaking on the occasion, Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, Shri Rajnath Singh lauded BRO’s commitment towards establishing connectivity in far- flung areas by ensuring timely completion of these roads & bridges. He mentioned that in last five years BRO had completed 450 infrastructure projects with a cost of more than Rs. 16000 Cr and this year, in 2024 with these 75 infra projects BRO has dedicated a record 111 infrastructure projects to the Nation. He appreciated the feat of construction of these 75 infrastructure projects at such an expeditious pace during this year. He mentioned that such performance by the BRO is unprecedented and is a reflection of the grit and determination of the entire Border Roads Organisation.He also lauded BRO’s effort of always being at the forefront in constructing more than 40% of Roads in high altitude area with hostile terrain, harsh weather, low Oxygen levels and extreme cold. Despite these challenges BRO remains committed towards its mission of Connecting Place Connecting People.
He reaffirmed the Government’s resolve to ensure better infrastructure development in border areas keeping in view the Nation’s security needs. He expressed his confidence in BRO’s contribution to Nation building by promoting enhanced defence preparedness & ushering economic development in Border States through improved connectivity despite tremendous challenges of terrain & weather condition.
