On January 3, 2023, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh dedicated to the nation 28 infrastructure projects of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) worth Rs 724 crore at an event held at Siyom Bridge on Along-Yinkiong Road in Arunachal Pradesh. The projects include 22 bridges, including the Siyom bridge, three roads, and three other projects in seven Northern and North-Eastern border States/Union Territories. There are eight projects in Ladakh, five in Arunachal Pradesh, four in Jammu and Kashmir, three in Sikkim, Punjab, and Uttarakhand, and two in Rajasthan. In addition, three telemedicine nodes were inaugurated, two in Ladakh and one in Mizoram.
In his address, the Raksha Mantri described the projects as evidence of the Government’s and the BRO’s collaborative efforts to develop border areas in order to improve the Armed Forces’ operational readiness and ensure the socioeconomic development of the far-flung regions. He stated that connecting border areas and ensuring the development of its residents is the top priority of the government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Rajnath Singh emphasised that the goal is to build a strong and self-sufficient ‘New India’ capable of dealing with future challenges posed by the ever-changing global scenario. “Today, the world is witnessing a number of conflicts. India has always been opposed to war. That’s our policy. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi drew the world’s attention to that resolve when he said ‘this is not the era of war’. We oppose war, but if it is forced upon us, we will fight. We are ensuring that the country is safe from all threats. Our Armed Forces are prepared, and it is encouraging to see the BRO walking alongside them “He stated.
The Raksha Mantri also emphasised the BRO’s critical role in bolstering the country’s security through border infrastructure development. “Recently, our forces successfully countered the adversary in the Northern sector and handled the situation with bravery and promptness. This was made possible by the region’s adequate infrastructure development. This motivates us even more to advance in remote areas “He stated.
Rajnath Singh praised the BRO for ensuring socioeconomic development in far-flung regions, calling infrastructure development a game changer for people living in border areas. He emphasised that the government is focusing particularly on the development of the North-Eastern region, which has strengthened the country’s security system. Rajnath Singh coined the phrase “BRO is the nation’s bro (brother)” to describe the Organization’s unwavering support for the Armed Forces and the local people. Invoking the famous phrase “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey,” he stated that the construction of road infrastructure in border areas is a journey for BRO, with a strong and prosperous India as the destination.
The physical inauguration of the strategically important Siyom Bridge took place at the event on Along-Yinkiong Road, while the other projects were dedicated to the nation virtually. The Siyom Bridge is a modern 100-meter-long Class 70 Steel Arch Superstructure Siyom Bridge that spans the Siyom River in Arunachal Pradesh.
The Raksha Mantri’s three telemedicine nodes will be linked to Service hospitals via a VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) satellite communications system. It will provide prompt medical intervention for medical and surgical emergencies by utilising SATCOM VSAT communication to consult with specialists at Service hospitals. This is one of BRO’s unique accomplishments in providing medical services to its personnel in remote border locations using space technology. The Raksha Mantri expressed hope that these nodes will be useful for the local people’s health-related needs.
With the inauguration of these 28 projects, which will be completed in 2022, BRO dedicated a total of 103 infrastructure projects to the nation in the year at a total cost of Rs 2,897 crore. The Raksha Mantri from Shyok village in Ladakh inaugurated 75 projects worth Rs 2,173 crore in October last year. The BRO dedicated 102 such projects to the nation in 2021 at a cost of Rs 2,229 crore. Rajnath Singh praised the BRO’s dedication and speed in carrying out development projects in recent years, despite challenging weather conditions in difficult locations.
The Raksha Mantri also issued a Compendium on New Technologies on the occasion. It incorporates the most recent technologies used by the BRO in the construction of roads, bridges, airfields, and tunnel infrastructure to mitigate the effects of remote and hostile terrain, as well as adverse weather conditions, which adversely affect the quality of civil engineering works and meeting completion timelines.
The event was attended by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, MP Arunachal East Tapir Gao, GOC-in-C Eastern Command Lieutenant General RP Kalita, and GOC Spear Corps Lieutenant General RC Tiwari.
