 AGENCIES
NEW DELHI, May 7: The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) marked its 66th Raising Day on Tuesday with the virtual inauguration and dedication of 50 critical infrastructure projects by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh. The ceremony, held at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, highlighted BRO's pivotal role in strengthening India's border infrastructure and strategic connectivity.
The 50 newly completed projects, constructed at a cumulative cost of Rs 1,879 crore, span across six border states and two Union Territories. These developments are expected to significantly enhance connectivity to remote and strategically important regions, contributing to both national security and socio-economic upliftment.
Among the newly inaugurated assets, six key infrastructure projects were executed under Project Sampark in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. These include one road and five bridges worth Rs 59.94 crore. The road project in Poonch is valued at Rs 5.63 crore, while the five bridges-located at Sewal, Pesku, Dersu-VI, Birhon, and Babban-cost Rs 54.31 crore collectively.
On the Basohli-Bani-Bhaderwah Road, 16 out of 18 planned bridges have been completed, with the 130-meter Sewal Bridge being the latest addition. Similarly, on the Dhar-Udhampur Road, two bridges-Pesku (40m) and Dersu-VI (24m)-are now operational, with additional work underway on the remaining structures.
The Birhon Bridge on the Jammu-Srinagar Road replaces a damaged structure from July 2021. The new 130-meter bridge, constructed using PSC box girder technology, was completed ahead of schedule. Meanwhile, the 120-meter Babban Bridge on the Rajpura-Nidhala Road now closes a crucial connectivity gap in the region.
Addressing the occasion, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh praised the BRO's commitment to nation-building, especially under challenging conditions such as extreme altitudes, harsh climates, and rugged terrains. He acknowledged the organisation's ethos-"Shramena Sarvam Sadhyam" (Everything is achievable through hard work)-and reiterated the Government's focus on developing border areas as a national priority.
He also emphasized the improved welfare measures introduced for BRO personnel and Casual Paid Labourers (CPLs), including enhanced healthcare services in remote areas, parity in risk and hardship allowances with the Armed Forces, and comprehensive life insurance benefits.
The Director General of Border Roads, Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan, PVSM, VSM, paid tribute to the brave personnel who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty and expressed gratitude to the Raksha Mantri for his continued support and increased budget allocations. He reflected on BRO's journey since its inception in 1960 with Projects TUSKER (now Vartak) and BEACON, and reaffirmed BRO's mission to make the impossible possible through unwavering dedication and courage.
Over the past two years alone, BRO has completed a record 161 infrastructure projects, a testament to its operational efficiency and strategic importance.
As BRO celebrates 66 years of dedicated service, it reaffirms its commitment to supporting defence preparedness and promoting economic development in some of India's most remote regions. The organisation continues to be a cornerstone of connectivity and resilience, truly embodying its motto: "Shramena Sarvam Sadhyam." |
