To bolster infrastructure along the border amid the India-China standoff, defence minister Rajnath Singh on Monday inaugurated 44 bridges built by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). India's border infrastructure has been a matter of concern for long as Indian forces were following an old military belief that if roads were metalled, they would provide easier mobility to the enemy (Chinese) in the event of hostilities.
Now, all these bridges are ready to use and majority of these bridges will enhance connectivity to areas close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) as eight bridges are in Ladakh sector. It is notable that China has been continuously objecting to India's border infrastructure. Incidentally, military delegations of India and China are on Monday having the seventh round of talk to find a way to resolve the five-month long military standoff in the Eastern Ladakh.
While inaugurating them from his office in South Block, Rajnath Singh said that roads and bridges are the lifeline of any nation and play a vital role in the socio-economic development of far flung regions.
Stressing on the significance of border infrastructure, Singh touched upon the collusive threat from Pakistan and China to explain the need for enhancing road connectivity. "You are well aware of the conditions created on our northern and eastern borders. First Pakistan, and now by China as if a border dispute is being created under a mission by the two countries. We have a border of about 7,000 km with these countries," Singh said.
Reiterating the Central government’s commitment to boost development activities in border areas, he said that the progress of all projects is being regularly monitored and adequate funds are being provided for their timely execution.
He said that the annual budget of BRO that varied from Rs 3,300 crore to Rs 4,600 crore in 2008-2016 saw a substantial rise and is pegged at over Rs 11,000 crore in 2020-21. "There was no reduction of this budget despite COVID-19," Singh said.
Briefing the dignitaries, Lt Gen Harpal Singh, DG BRO, said the 44 bridges of various spans ranging from 30-484 metres are located in eight states and Union territories. Ten are in J&K on the Line of Control with Pakistan, eight in Ladakh, eight each in Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh, two in Himachal Pradesh and four each in Punjab and Sikkim. He said that in Ladakh, a large number of bridges are being constructed, as about 40-50 bridges are under construction and will be completed between six months to one and a half years.
While adding that these bridges will contribute towards the overall economic growth of remote border areas and to assist in speedy deployment of armed forces in strategically important sectors, Lt General Harpal Singh said in addition to expediting road construction, the BRO has laid special emphasis on construction of bridges by completing 28 major bridges last year, while 102 major bridges are being completed this year. "Fifty four of these bridges have already been completed. Over 60 bailey bridges have also been constructed by BRO to meet immediate requirements of armed forces and people living in remote areas," the BRO head informed the dignitaries, including Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, Chief of Army Staff, Gen MM Naravane and Defence Secretary, Ajay Kumar at New Delhi. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, chief ministers of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Sikkim and Uttarakhand, Lt Governor of J&K, along with other dignitaries attended the e-inauguration digitally.
Lauding the BRO for its role in improving the border infrastructure, Singh said these bridges improved connectivity in the far flung areas of western, northern and north east sectors and fulfilled the aspirations of local people. "They would also meet the transport and logistics requirements of the armed forces throughout the year," Singh said while adding that roads and bridges are the lifeline of any nation and play a vital role in the socio-economic development of far flung regions.
He also laid the foundation stone of the strategically important Nechiphu Tunnel on the road to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. Nechiphu tunnel, a 450-m long, bi-lane tunnel would ensure all weather connectivity across Nechiphu Pass besides providing a safe and secure passage through accident prone areas.
Despite COVID-19 restrictions, BRO has been working on construction of major bridges and roads, like Atal Tunnel Rohtang, Sela Tunnel and snow clearance for opening of strategic mountain passes.
In spite of unprecedented snowfall breaking a 60 years record, all strategic passes & roads were cleared for traffic about one month before their average yearly opening dates. This brought relief to people of border areas and ensured rapid and early movement of troops and logistics.