Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday virtually inaugurated 50 strategically vital infrastructure projects developed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), marking the 66th BRO Raising Day. The portfolio includes 30 bridges, 17 roads, and three other facilities, constructed at a combined cost of Rs 18.8 billion. The projects span six border states and two Union Territories—Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Mizoram, West Bengal, and Rajasthan.

Dedicating the infrastructure to the nation, Singh stated that these projects will significantly enhance national security, bolster regional connectivity, and stimulate economic growth. “These are not just infrastructure assets; they are pathways to a brighter future,” he said.

Senior dignitaries including Union Ministers Kiran Rijiju and Dr Jitendra Singh, Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi, and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh were present at the Manekshaw Centre in Delhi Cantt. Governors and Chief Ministers from the concerned states joined the event virtually.

Six vital projects in Jammu & Kashmir—including five bridges and one road—were also inaugurated. These include the Sewal Bridge on the Basohli-Bani-Bhaderwah route, Pesku and Dersu-VI Bridges on the Dhar-Udhampur road, Birhon Bridge on the Jammu-Srinagar highway, and Babban Bridge on the Rajpura-Nidhala stretch. A strategically critical road in an operational zone was also unveiled.

In response to escalating concerns along the India-Pakistan border, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh’s long-standing proposal for widening the Udhampur-Pathankot Dhar Road has gained momentum. BRO’s current regulations prevented the required expansion, prompting the matter to be referred to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). With backing from the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Home Affairs, the proposal is now being fast-tracked.

The nearly 150-km stretch is crucial for both civilian access and defence logistics, connecting Pathankot with several towns in Jammu region. Singh reiterated the road's strategic value, noting that the project would soon move to implementation following fresh inter-agency support.

Sixteen of the newly inaugurated projects are located in Ladakh. These include roads such as Tangtse-Lukung, Karu-Tangtse, Chusul-Dungti-Demchok, and bridges like Kanglajal I and II, as well as two specialised works—a new ammunition cavern at Hanle and road surfacing at Chang La and Wari La using advanced ILCB technology.

Chief Executive Councillor of LAHDC Leh, Tashi Gyalson, praised the BRO for its contribution to Ladakh’s development. Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir Manoj Sinha also expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rajnath Singh, emphasising that the new infrastructure will serve as a socio-economic lifeline for the region and enhance the operational capabilities of the armed forces.

The projects are a testament to the Government’s commitment to border development and align with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of revitalising border villages and strengthening national defence infrastructure.