Rajnath Singh in Arunachal Pradesh: Amid the border tension between India and China, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday reached Boleng in Siang district in Arunachal Pradesh, where he will inaugurate the strategically-important Siyom bridge. While speaking at the event, the Defence Minister emphasised prioritising national interests in order to keep the country empowered.
"In this era of changing priorities & interests of the nations, it's necessary for any nation to keep itself empowered. India has always been against war. Our Armed forces are always ready to face any kind of situation and BRO is walking along with them," he said.
During the inauguration ceremony, Singh said that India has neither started a war against any country nor captured an inch of land from any country. He, however, said this should not be taken for granted and added "New Delhi would also react staunchly when it is forced to action". Notably, he did not mention the name of any country, but it was obvious that he was pointing fingers at the recent clash with Chinese troops in Arunachal Pradesh's Tawang region.
In a ceremony organised by the Border Roads Organisation at Siyom Bridge Along- Yinkiong Road in Arunachal Pradesh, the defence minister inaugurated at least 22 Bridges, three Roads and three other miscellaneous projects. According to the statement released by the ministry, these Infrastructure Projects have been constructed under challenging weather conditions at most inhospitable terrain locations.
BRO completed the construction of these critical strategic projects in a record time
Notably, BRO completed the construction of these critical strategic projects in a record time frame and many of these Projects have been constructed in a single working season using state-of-the-art technology. Out of these projects, eight have been constructed in the Union Territory of Ladakh, four in Jammu and Kashmir, five in Arunachal Pradesh, three each in Sikkim, Punjab and Uttarakhand and two in Rajasthan.
"The highlight of the event was the inauguration of the state-of-the-art “100-meter long, Class 70 Steel Arch Superstructure Siyom Bridge on Along-Yinkiong Road over Siyom River in Arunachal Pradesh," read the statement. "This signature bridge is of strategic importance to our Defence Forces and will facilitate speedy induction of troops, heavy equipment and mechanised vehicles to forward areas of Upper Siang district, Tuting and Yinkiong Region and will also boost socio-economic development of the region," it added.
Singh also inaugurated three telemedicine nodes one at Mizoram and two in Ladakh
Besides, Singh also inaugurated three telemedicine nodes one at Mizoram and two in Ladakh. On September 6, last year, an MoU was signed between Development and Education Communication Unit (DECU), ISRO and Border Roads Organisation at DECU, ISRO Ahmedabad for the establishment of such nodes, it noted. The three Telemedicine nodes, one each at remote and difficult locations of Project Pushpak, Vijayak and Himank in Mizoram and Ladakh respectively will now be connected through VSAT to Service hospitals.
It will provide prompt medical intervention for medical and surgical emergencies through Telemedicine consultation with specialists at Service hospitals using SATCOM VSAT communication. "This is one of the unique achievements of BRO in providing medical services to its personnel in remote border locations through the use of space technology," said Singh during the event.
Singh releases Compendium on New Technologies
Moreover, he also released a Compendium on New Technologies. “The New Technology Compendium” incorporates the latest technologies being adopted by BRO in the construction of roads, bridges, airfields and tunnel infrastructure to negate the effects of remote and hostile terrain with adverse weather conditions which unduly affects the quality of civil engineering works and meeting the timelines of completion of the projects."
BRO’s surge in road and bridge construction in the last two years has led to the completion of many critical and strategic projects which has bolstered our defence preparedness vis a vis that of our adversaries. The BRO has also connected the farthest and most remote villages of the country like Huri Village in Arunachal Pradesh to the mainland. This connectivity has triggered reverse migration in these areas. 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.
Defence Minister lauded BRO’s commitment towards establishing connectivity
Speaking on the occasion, Singh lauded BRO’s commitment towards establishing connectivity in far-flung areas by ensuring the timely completion of these roads & bridges. He mentioned that in 2021, BRO completed 102 infrastructure projects and in 2022 along with these 28 infra projects BRO has dedicated a record 103 infrastructure projects to the Nation. He appreciated the feat of construction of these 28 infrastructure projects at such an expeditious pace during this year. He mentioned that such performance by the BRO is unprecedented and is a reflection of the grit and determination of the entire Border Roads Organisation under the stellar leadership of Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhry, VSM, DG Border Roads.
He also lauded BRO’s effort of always being at the forefront in introducing the latest technologies which are not only environment friendly but also cost-effective. He mentioned that as BRO works in harsh and extreme conditions of temperature and terrain, these innovations have contributed towards the resolution of many construction problems that have been affecting the roads being constructed on our borders.
He expressed his admiration for the organisation’s history of achieving excellence and reaffirmed the Government’s resolve to ensure better infrastructure development in border areas keeping in view the Nation’s security needs. He expressed his confidence in BRO’s contribution to Nation building by promoting enhanced defence preparedness & ushering economic development in Border States through improved connectivity despite tremendous challenges of terrain & weather condition.
