Uttarakhand
Defense Minister Unveils Border Projects
- 22 Jan 2024
- 2 min read
Why in News?
Recently, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated 35 projects in Uttarakhand to strengthen the country's border security.
Key Points
- The projects were constructed by the Border Roads Organization (BRO) at a cost of Rs 670 crore, these projects consist of roads, bridges, and tunnels aimed at enhancing connectivity, defense readiness and socio-economic development.
- The minister appreciated the important role played by BRO in connecting geographically and socially isolated communities to national connectivity.
- According to the defense minister, the increasing natural disasters in border countries due to climate change pose a serious national security issue.
- He acknowledged the exceptional support extended by the Border Roads Organization in Uttarakhand and lauded the teamwork displayed by various agencies during the crisis.
- He highlighted the change in attitudes towards compensation professionals (CPLs), acknowledging their vital role in the organisation.
Border Road Organisation
- It was formed on 7 May 1960 to secure India's borders and develop infrastructure in remote areas of the north and north-east states of the country.
- This includes infrastructure operations in 19 states and 3 union territories (including Andaman and Nicobar Islands) and neighboring countries such as Afghanistan, Bhutan, Myanmar, Tajikistan and Sri Lanka.
- In order to ensure coordination and expeditious execution of projects, the Government of India set up the Border Roads Development Board (BRDB) with the Prime Minister as Chairman of the Board and Defence Minister as Deputy Chairman.
- BRO is also tasked with maintaining this infrastructure including operations such as snow clearance. BRO is instrumental in significantly upgrading and building new India-China Border Roads.
- Lieutenant General Raghu Srinivasan is the 28th Director General (DG) of the Border Roads Organisation.
- The organisation motto is Shramena Sarvam Sadhyam (everything is achievable through hardwork).
