Leh: Defence minister Rajnath Singh, on Sunday, inaugurated 125 infrastructure projects constructed by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in Ladakh and called it a “major achievement” for the organisation and whole highlighting the Centre’s “unwavering commitment to strengthening border infrastructure.”
In his address at the inaugural ceremony of BRO Projects in Leh, Singh said that these projects are a tribute to the brave soldiers of the Army and BRO personnel who work tirelessly for the country.
“I am pleased to dedicate 125 BRO projects and a War Memorial to the nation today. The bravery displayed by our soldiers is an inspiration to us. These projects are a tribute to our heroes. The brave soldiers of our army and BRO personnel work tirelessly for the country. Our brave soldiers in the armed forces and all employees of BRO like you are continuously working for the country. The spirit you have of continuing to work in any weather, in any situation, is the result of that very spirit that today our country is continuously touching new heights,” the minister said.
Claiming that such a large number of projects have never been inaugurated at the same time ever in the past, Singh called it a “major achievement” not just for BRO but also for the nation.
“Such a large number, meaning the inauguration of 125 infrastructure projects all at once, has never happened before. So this, in itself, is a major achievement for BRO and for all of us. This achievement, on one hand, is proof of the resolve for a Viksit Bharat, and on the other hand, these projects are a vivid
example of our government’s unwavering commitment to strengthening border infrastructure. I remember, in the month of May this year, we had dedicated 50 projects to the nation. Even then, I had felt great joy. Today, with this historic milestone, you have multiplied my joy manifold,” he said.
One of these projects is the 920-meter-long Shyok Tunnel in Ladakh. The defence minister said that this engineering marvel will ensure all-weather reliable connectivity in the area, adding that this tunnel will boost the rapid deployment capability during harsh winters.
“Today we are inaugurating the 920-meter-long Shyok Tunnel constructed on the Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldi Road in Ladakh. This engineering marvel, built in one of the world’s most difficult and challenging terrains, will ensure all-weather reliable connectivity in this strategic area. In addition, this tunnel, in this region with heavy snowfall, avalanches, and extreme temperatures, will also multiply several times the security, mobility, and especially the rapid deployment capability during harsh winters,” he said.
The 125 projects have been built at a cost of nearly Rs 5,000 crore. This is the highest-value inauguration in BRO’s history so far.
“Along with Ladakh, today in Jammu and Kashmir, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, and Mizoram as well, other projects are being dedicated to the nation. These 125 projects, completed at a cost of approximately 5,000 crore rupees, represent the highest-value inauguration in BRO’s history so far,'” Singh said.
BRO has become synonymous with ‘Communication’ and ‘Connectivity. In the past few years, the speed and efficiency with which BRO has developed infrastructure in border areas has also provided a significant boost to national development. Through indigenous solutions, by successfully completing complex projects, BRO has today emerged as a synonym for ‘Communication’ and ‘Connectivity’,” he said.