Rajnath Singh inaugurates 125 BRO projects worth Rs 5,000 crore, boosts border connectivity

New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday dedicated to the nation 125 new infrastructure projects built by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), the highest number ever inaugurated at once. The projects, valued at around Rs 5,000 crore, span Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir and seven states including Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Mizoram. These include 28 roads, 93 bridges and four other key facilities, aimed at improving last-mile access to remote villages and strategic military locations.

Speaking at the event held on the Darbuk–Shyok–Daulat Beg Oldie Road, Singh spoke of the inauguration of the 920-metre Shyok Tunnel, calling it an engineering feat built in one of the world’s most challenging terrains. The all-weather tunnel will boost mobility, security and logistics support in a region prone to extreme cold, heavy snowfall and avalanches.

The defence minister also virtually inaugurated the Galwan War Memorial in Arunachal Pradesh, honouring the valour and sacrifice of Indian soldiers. He said the government’s sustained focus on border infrastructure reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat, noting that strong connectivity enhances both national security and local development.

Singh emphasised that robust border infrastructure ensures faster military movement, better logistics, increased tourism and employment, and strengthens people’s faith in democratic governance. He lauded the BRO for accelerating project completion through indigenous technology, including the deployment of Class-70 modular bridges developed with Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Referring to Operation Sindoor, launched after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Singh said efficient connectivity was crucial in ensuring logistical support and military coordination. He praised the synergy between the armed forces, civil administration and border residents during the operation.

Highlighting India’s economic resilience, marked by 8.2 per cent GDP growth in Q2 of 2025–26—Singh said connectivity and communication remain essential drivers of both security and prosperity. He also noted BRO’s humanitarian efforts, including rescuing workers during the Mana avalanche in Uttarakhand and evacuating thousands during disasters in Sikkim and Jammu & Kashmir.

BRO Director General Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan thanked the government for its support, saying the organisation has become the preferred executing agency for major ministries due to its ability to deliver in extreme terrains. Over the past two years, 356 BRO projects have been completed nationwide, underscoring the organisation’s expanding role in strategic infrastructure development.