Kamal Ghorui
Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee for the ministry of defence on the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in New Delhi, where discussions focused on border infrastructure, defence preparedness and ongoing strategic connectivity projects, according to an official release.
Focus on border connectivity and defence preparedness
The meeting reviewed progress under the Border Roads Development Programme 2023–28, under which more than 1,000 road and infrastructure projects are being carried out, including new construction, upgradation and maintenance works, the release said.During the meeting, Singh said the programme is aimed at improving all-weather connectivity in remote and high-altitude regions to support operational mobility and defence preparedness.He also said the BRO has been tasked with developing infrastructure along the Indo-Myanmar border, covering about 1,600 km, which is expected to strengthen border management capabilities.
BRO’s role in Northeast and LWE-affected areas highlighted
Singh noted BRO’s work in improving connectivity in the North-East and in Left-Wing Extremism-affected areas, saying these projects have supported both security needs and regional development.“The BRO has facilitated the mobility of defence forces, and worked towards bringing a positive transformation in the lives of the residents,” Singh said, according to the statement.The minister also said the BRO is increasingly using modern construction methods, including high-altitude equipment, modular bridges and precast technologies, to improve the pace and quality of work.
BRO presents overview of projects and challenges
A presentation was made before the committee by Director General Border Roads Lt Gen Harpal Singh, covering the BRO’s role, major achievements, operational challenges in difficult terrain and extreme weather, and its contribution to disaster management, the release said.Established in 1960, the BRO has so far built over 64,000 km of roads, 1,179 bridges, 22 airfields and seven tunnels, according to the ministry.The committee was also informed about challenges such as limited working seasons, land acquisition issues and environmental clearances, as well as the organisation’s focus on capacity enhancement and use of modern construction technologies.Those present at the meeting included minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth, chief of defence staff general Anil Chauhan, defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, DRDO chairman Samir V Kamat, and other senior defence officials, the release added.
