The Author is Former Director General of Information Systems and A Special Forces Veteran, Indian Army

On October 12, 2024, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually dedicated 75 infrastructure projects of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), costing ₹2,236 crore, to the nation. These projects (22 roads, 51 bridges and two other) are spread across 11 States/Union Territories (UTs). 19 are in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), 18 in Arunachal Pradesh, 11 in Ladakh, nine in Uttarakhand, six in Sikkim, five in Himachal Pradesh, two each in West Bengal and Rajasthan and one each in Nagaland, Mizoram and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

The virtual inauguration ceremony was held at the Headquarters, Trishakti Corps in Sukna, West Bengal. Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Defence Secretary-designate R.K. Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command Lt General Ram Chander Tiwari, DG Border Roads Lt General Raghu Srinivasan, General Officer Commanding, Trishakti Corps Lt General Zubin A. Minwalla were present with the defence minister at Sherathang during the inauguration ceremony.

On October 12, 2024, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated 75 Border Roads Organisation (BRO) infrastructure projects, valued at ₹2,236 crore, across 11 States and Union Territories.

Governors of Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram; Lt Governors of J&K and Ladakh; Chief Ministers of Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand; Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences & MoS in Prime Minister's Office and Personnel & Public Grievances and MoS of Law & Justice and Parliamentary Affairs attended the event virtually. Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang was present at Sherathang since one of the main highlights was inauguration of the Kupup-Sherathang Road in Sikkim which serves as a crucial link between Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg and the Zuluk axis.

The 19 projects inaugurated in J&K included the Mohura Baaz road; Tutmarigali Kaiyan Bowl road; Gurai Bridge, Bandipora-Gurez road; Garjun Bridge Tutmarigali Base to Top; Niru Nar, Dawar-Niru-Baraub-Chakwali-Kaobal Gali road; Bishnah-Kaulpur-Khojpur road; Basohli-Bani-Bhaderwah road; Galhar-Sansari road; Swan bridge, Basohli-Bani-Bhaderwah road; Sanu bridge, Domel-Jindra-Kharta road; Naigarh bridge, Dul-Galhar road; Channani bridge, Domel-Jindra-Kharta road; Natoo bridge, Galhar-Sansari road; Kogra Bridge, Domel-Jindra-Kharta road; Biyalu bridge, Basohli-Bani-Bhaderwah road; Dersu bridge, Dhar -Udhampur road and Sewa-II bridge, Basohli-Bani-Bhaderwah road.

The projects include 22 roads, 51 bridges, and two additional structures, with the highest number (19) located in Jammu and Kashmir and significant numbers in Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh.

In his address, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the projects are a testament to the Government's unwavering resolve to keep strengthening the border infrastructure and ensuring socio-economic progress of these areas. He added that these projects will go a long way in enhancing the defence preparedness of the country and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Viksit Bharat by 2047' can be realised through such infrastructure projects. He commended the grit and determination of the BRO personnel for completing the projects in a time-bound manner even in most challenging terrains and harsh weather conditions, adding that the government, in its third term, aims to further bolster the border infrastructure with more promptness. Referring to the increased allocation of ₹6,500 crore for BRO in Union Budget 2024-25, he expressed hope that it would not only contribute to strategic infrastructure development, but will also prove helpful in socio-economic progress in the border areas, including the North East region. Rajnath Singh assured the people that new dimensions will be added to the development of border areas. "India will be one of the safest and strongest nations in the times to come", he said.

With the inauguration of these 75 projects, BRO has completed a total of 111 infrastructure projects in 2024 at an overall cost of ₹3,751 crore. This includes 36 projects worth ₹1,508 crore, such as the state-of-the-art Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this year. In 2023, 125 infrastructure projects of BRO were dedicated to the nation at a cost of ₹3,611 crore.

While India's border infrastructure development efforts are commendable, China's annual expenditure of over $70 billion on similar projects highlights the need for India to accelerate its pace and augment BRO's resources.

Lt Governor of J&K, Manoj Sinha said that the 19 infrastructure projects inaugurated in J&K today are strategically vital for both the Army and the civil administration and will prove to be an economic lifeline for the people in far-flung areas. He said these much-awaited road and bridge projects will have a positive impact on the border tourism, creation of new employment opportunities, bringing economic prosperity in the society and enhancing quality of life in forward areas. He also lauded the important contribution of the Border Roads Organisation to the socio-economic transformation and national integration in the border areas.

The above is good going and the BRO is doing a good job. At the same time, China has a lead over us in border infrastructure development and we need to critically look at Chinese infrastructure developments especially in Ladakh and opposite Arunachal Pradesh. The increased allocation of ₹6,500 crore for BRO in Union Budget 2024-25 is also good. At the same time, China is spending over $70 billion annually for development of border infrastructure, despite the lead it has over us. It would be good if we can pick up more pace and augment the resources of BRO with additional assets nationally available.