IIn a massive boost to India’s border security and connectivity, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today dedicated 125 infrastructure projects constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to the nation, marking the highest number of simultaneous inaugurations in the organisation’s history. These projects include the Shyok Tunnel along the Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie (DSDBO) Road in Ladakh. Singh launched the border infrastructure projects at a ceremony held at the tunnel.
The projects, completed at an approximate cost of ₹5,000 crore, comprise 28 roads, 93 bridges, and four miscellaneous developments. These projects are spread across two Union Territories, Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir, and seven states, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, West Bengal, and Mizoram. Among these, 85 projects are located in high-altitude regions above 9000 feet.
These initiatives are designed to enhance last-mile connectivity to remote border villages and forward military outposts, ensuring all-weather access that facilitates rapid troop deployment, logistics movement, and disaster response even during severe winters.
Addressing the gathering that included Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde, Mizoram Governor General (Dr) Vijay Kumar Singh, Ladakh Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta, Jammu & Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Mizoram CM Lalduhoma, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, and Director General Border Roads (DGBR) Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan, the Raksha Mantri highlighted the strategic and socio-economic dividends of these developments.
“These projects are testimony to the Govt’s unwavering commitment to keep strengthening border infrastructure in line with Viksit Bharat vision,” Singh stated, emphasizing how robust connectivity serves as the backbone of national security, economic growth, and humanitarian efforts.
He also credited the success of Operation Sindoor with the seamless coordination enabled by enhanced infrastructure, noting, “Such a massive operation was possible due to our strong connectivity. Logistics were delivered to the Armed Forces in a timely manner. Our connectivity with the border areas was maintained, making the operation a historic success.”
The minister also praised the BRO’s innovative spirit, spotlighting indigenously developed Class-70 modular bridges as examples of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. He noted that over the past two years, 356 BRO projects have been dedicated nationwide.
“There are numerous benefits of robust infrastructure in border areas. It ensures military mobility, smooth transportation of logistics, increase in tourism & employment opportunities and, most importantly, stronger faith in development, democracy & the government,” the Defence Minister remarked, calling for continued integration of border regions with the national mainstream. He further said, “Our Government, Armed Forces, and organisations like the BRO are working diligently for the holistic development of our border areas. We must continue strengthening the bond between the border regions and national mainstream so that the relationship is not influenced by any external factors.”
Rajnath Singh also virtually inaugurated the Galwan War Memorial in Ladakh to honor the sacrifices of Armed Forces personnel. He lauded the BRO’s humanitarian contributions, including avalanche rescues in Uttarakhand’s Mana region, evacuations in North Sikkim, and relief operations during the Chasoti cloudburst in Jammu & Kashmir.
