27 projects to improve border infrastructure

In today's unpredictable climate, any sort of confrontation cannot be ruled out, emphasised Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister, listing the construction of border infrastructure as part of India’s preparation to face security challenges. He said the country would not have been able to respond forcefully to the adversary in the northern sector if there were no infrastructure in the region, after showcasing 27 road and bridge projects constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).

According to Singh, one of the 24 roads launched at a virtual event was built at an altitude of over 19,000 feet on the Umling-La pass in Southern Ladakh, making it the world's highest motorable road.“Without sufficient infrastructure development, the situation we encountered in the northern sector lately, and the manner in which we were able to respond strongly to the adversary, would not have been conceivable,”he added, referring to the eastern Ladakh dispute.

Singh also expressed regret that adequate attention was not paid to establishing border infrastructure following Independence, but said the approach has changed significantly in recent years. Border roads serve not just strategic purposes but also ensure outlying areas participate equally in national growth. He went on to say that India's surveillance system needs to be strengthened in the same way the country's border infrastructure is being bolstered.