Has BRO Set a New Record by Inaugurating 125 Infrastructure Projects in a Single Day?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 125 projects were inaugurated on a single day, a historic milestone for BRO.
- The total investment for these projects is approximately Rs 5,000 crore.
- Projects span across multiple states, enhancing connectivity and local economies.
- The Shyok Tunnel is a critical infrastructure project for military access.
- BRO continues to support humanitarian efforts and disaster response across the nation.
New Delhi, Dec 8 (NationPress) Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has officially inaugurated 125 strategic infrastructure projects constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), setting a record for the largest single-day inauguration in the history of the organization, as stated in an official announcement.
These initiatives encompass 28 roads, 93 bridges, and four miscellaneous projects, all completed at a total expenditure of approximately Rs 5,000 crore. The projects span across regions including Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, West Bengal, and Mizoram.
The primary objective of these developments is to enhance last-mile connectivity to isolated villages and strategic military locations, facilitating quicker travel and smoother transportation of troops, equipment, and essential supplies.
Among the highlighted projects is the Shyok Tunnel on the Darbuk–Shyok–Daulat Beg Oldie road in Ladakh, a vital 920-metre cut-and-cover tunnel constructed in challenging high-altitude conditions. This tunnel ensures reliable all-weather access to a sensitive strategic corridor that often faces heavy snowfall, avalanches, and extreme temperatures.
The improved network of roads and bridges is also anticipated to boost tourism, create local job opportunities, and enhance disaster response capabilities in border areas.
Additionally, the Galwan War Memorial in Arunachal Pradesh was inaugurated virtually, honoring the valor and sacrifices of Indian soldiers.
The BRO has also started deploying indigenously developed Class-70 modular bridges, which are designed and produced in India in collaboration with Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE). These heavy-load bridges, installed at forward locations, will facilitate rapid military movement.
In the last two years, a total of 356 BRO projects have been dedicated nationwide. The allocation from the Union Budget for the BRO increased from Rs 6,500 crore to Rs 7,146 crore, with the organization reporting its highest expenditure ever at Rs 16,690 crore in FY25 and aiming for Rs 18,700 crore in FY26.
In recent years, the BRO has also significantly contributed to humanitarian assistance and disaster response in the country, conducting rescue operations during the Mana avalanche in Uttarakhand, large-scale tourist evacuations in North Sikkim, and cloudburst rescue operations in Jammu & Kashmir.