New Delhi, Jan 19 (NationPress) The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has recorded an unprecedented outlay of Rs 16,690 crore in the financial year 2024-25 for the development and upkeep of vital roads, bridges, tunnels, and airfields across the nation. This upward trend is set to continue, with a target of Rs 17,900 crore established for the fiscal year 2025–26, as per an official announcement made on Monday.

Tasked with constructing and maintaining infrastructure in border and remote areas for both military and civilian purposes, the BRO presently oversees 18 active field projects. Among these, nine projects are located in North West India (including J&K, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Rajasthan), while eight are in Northeast and Eastern India (covering Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Meghalaya), along with one project in Bhutan.

These initiatives focus on the engineering and implementation of strategic infrastructure across 11 States and 3 Union Territories (UTs). The expansive network includes major roads, bridges, tunnels, and airfields, augmented by telemedicine facilities that bolster national security and socio-economic growth through programs like Act East and the Vibrant Villages Programme, the statement noted.

In Arunachal Pradesh, BRO projects like Vartak, Arunank, Udayak, and Brahmank address some of India's most daunting frontiers, linking remote communities to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) via essential infrastructure such as the Sisseri Bridge, Siyom Bridge, Sela Tunnel, and Nechiphu Tunnel.

In Ladakh, projects including Himank, Beacon, Deepak, Vijayak, and Yojak sustain critical connections to Kargil, Leh, and the Karakoram area, encompassing strategic routes such as the Srinagar–Leh highway, Darbuk–Shyok–DBO (DS-DBO) Road, Atal Tunnel, and the ongoing Shinku La Tunnel, ensuring all-weather connectivity.

The Northeast features projects like Swastik in Sikkim, Pushpak in Mizoram, Setuk in Assam and Meghalaya, and Sewak in Nagaland and Manipur, improving regional access. On the western front, Sampark in Jammu and Chetak in Rajasthan enhance strategic mobility.

Beyond the Himalayas, Shivalik guarantees dependable access to the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand, while Hirak expands connectivity into areas affected by Left-Wing Extremism in Chhattisgarh.

Lastly, Dantak, the overseas branch of BRO in Bhutan, strengthens bilateral relations through comprehensive road, bridge, and infrastructure development. Collectively, these undertakings illustrate BRO's steadfast commitment to national security, strategic readiness, and regional advancement, as stated.