The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) marked its 66th Raising Day today with a proud moment for the nation. Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh virtually inaugurated 50 major infrastructure projects from the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. Built at a total cost of ₹1,879 crore, these projects are spread across six border states and two Union Territories. They aim to improve connectivity in remote and strategic areas while boosting both national security and local development.
The Defence Minister praised the BRO’s relentless spirit and hard work in building roads and bridges under the toughest conditions high altitudes, freezing temperatures rough terrain and low oxygen levels. BRO has always been at the forefront connecting places and people in the most challenging environments he said.
He also highlighted several welfare measures being taken for BRO personnel and Casual Paid Labourers (CPLs) including better healthcare access in remote areas improved allowances and a comprehensive life insurance scheme.
The Director General Border Roads Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan, paid tribute to the brave personnel who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. He also thanked the Defence Minister for his leadership and the government’s strong support including increased budget allocations for BRO.
Looking back at its journey, BRO started in 1960 with two projects Project Tusker in the east (now called Vartak) and Project Beacon in the north. Since then the organisation has come a long way turning the impossible into reality through sheer determination and courage.
Among the 50 projects inaugurated today six were completed by Project Sampark in Jammu and Kashmir. These include one road and five bridges built at a cost of ₹59.94 crore. Highlights include:
- A 130-meter steel bridge at Sewal on the Basohli-Bani-Bhaderwah Road
- The Pesku (40m) and Dersu-VI (24m) bridges on the Dhar-Udhampur Road
- A new 130-meter bridge at Birhon on the Jammu-Srinagar route, replacing one that was damaged in 2021
- The 120-meter Babban Bridge on the Rajpura-Nidhala Road, closing a crucial connectivity gap
- A key road project in Poonch worth ₹5.63 crore
These new bridges and roads will significantly improve movement and access in the region supporting both defence logistics and daily life for local residents.
In the last two years alone BRO has completed a record-breaking 161 infrastructure projects, making it one of the most effective and trusted arms of the government in border development.
As BRO celebrates 66 years of dedicated service, it stands firm in its mission. With its motto "Shramena Sarvam Sadhyam Everything is Achievable Through Hard Work the organisation continues to build not just roads and bridges but stronger safer and more connected communities in the farthest corners of India.(PR)