Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate and dedicate 90 infrastructure projects of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to the nation on September 12.
The cost of projects are worth Rs 2,941 crore. The ceremony will be carried out at Devak Bridge in Jammu.
These projects have been constructed in 10 border States/UTs of Northern/North-Eastern region.
The highlight of the ceremony will be the inauguration of 422.9 metre span RCC Devak Bridge on Bishnah-Kaulpur-Phulpur Road in Jammu & Kashmir.
The Defence Minister will also carry out e-shilanyas of Nyoma Airfield to be constructed in Ladakh. In last two years BRO has dedicated a record 205 infrastructure projects to the nation at a cost of Rs 5,100 crore.
Last year, 103 BRO infrastructure projects were dedicated to the nation at a cost of Rs 2,897 crore. In, 2021, 102 BRO infrastructure projects were dedicated to the nation at a cost of Rs 2,229 crore.
In a ceremony that will be organised by the Border Roads Organisation at Devak Bridge on Bishnah-Kaulpur-Phulpur Road in Jammu & Kashmir, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate 22 Roads, 63 Bridges, Nechiphu Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh, two airfields in West Bengal and two helipads.
These infrastructure projects have been constructed under challenging weather conditions, at most inhospitable terrain locations.
Notably, BRO completed the construction of these critical strategic projects in record time and many of these projects have been constructed in a single working season using state-of-the-art technology.
States where projects have been constructed
Out of these projects, 11 have been constructed in Jammu & Kashmir, 26 in Ladakh, 36 in Arunachal Pradesh, 5 in Mizoram, 3 in Himachal Pradesh, 2 each in Sikkim, Uttarakhand and West Bengal and 1 each in Nagaland, Rajasthan and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Devak Bridge
This bridge is of strategic importance for the defence forces and will facilitate speedy induction of troops, heavy equipment and mechanised vehicles to forward areas and will also boost socio-economic development of the region.
Another important infrastructure to be inaugurated will be the 500 metre long Nechiphu Tunnel on Balipara-Charduar-Tawang Road in Arunachal Pradesh.
This tunnel, along with under construction Sela Tunnel, will provide an all-weather connectivity to the strategic Tawang Region and will be beneficial to both the armed forces deployed in the region and the tourists visiting pristine Tawang.
Reconstructed and revamped Bagdogra and Barrackpore Airfields in West Bengal will also be inaugurated on September 12. These airfields have been successfully reconstructed by BRO at a cost of Rs 529 crore.
The airfields will not only improve the defensive and offensive architecture of Indian Airforce along Northern Borders but will also facilitate commercial flight operations in the region.
What is Nyoma Airfield in Ladakh?
Rajnath Singh will also carry out e-Shilanyash of Nyoma Airfield in Ladakh.
Nyoma Airfield in Eastern Ladakh will be developed at a cost of Rs 218 crore for wide ranging strategic air assets. The construction of this airfield will tremendously boost the air infrastructure in Ladakh and augument the IAF capability along our Northern Borders.
BRO’s surge in road and bridge construction in the last three years has led to completion of many critical and strategic projects which has bolstered defence preparedness.
The BRO has also connected the farthest and most remote villages of the country like Huri Village in Arunachal Pradesh to the main land.
This connectivity has triggered reverse migration along our border villages. Population increase is being witnessed in these areas with the commencement of basic amenities like schooling facilities & Primary Health Care Centres, electric supply and employment opportunities.
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