BRO budget over Rs.11,000 crores in 2020-21
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has dedicated to the Nation 44 bridges built by Border Roads Organization (BRO) across seven States and UTs to improve connectivity in the far-flung areas of Western, Northern and North East sectors.
He also laid the Foundation Stone for Nechiphu Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh at a ceremony through a video conference held on 12 Oct 2020.
The 450-m long, bi-lane tunnel would ensure all weather connectivity across Nechiphu Pass besides providing safe and secure passage through accident-prone areas.
Lauding the BRO, Singh said roads and bridges are the lifeline of any nation and play a vital role in the socio-economic development of far-flung regions.
Reiterating the Central Government’s commitment to boost development activities in border areas, he said that the progress of all projects is regularly being monitored and adequate funds are being provided for their timely execution.
He said that the annual budget of BRO, that varied from Rs.3,300 crores to Rs.4,600 crores in years 2008-2016, saw a substantial rise and is pegged at over Rs.11,000 crores in 2020-21. There was no reduction in this budget despite COVID-19.
The 44 bridges of various spans ranging from 30-m to 484-m are in J&K (10), Ladakh (8), Himachal Pradesh (2), Punjab (4), Uttarakhand (8), Arunachal Pradesh (8) and Sikkim (4).
These bridges are of strategic importance and have been designed to facilitate the movement of heavy civil & military traffic in border areas, explained Lt Gen Harpal Singh, DG BRO.
The bridges will contribute towards the overall economic growth of remote border areas and will also assist in the speedy deployment of Armed Forces in strategically important sectors.
The BRO has completed 28 major bridges last year. For this year 54 bridges have been completed 48 are being completed this year. Over 60 Bailey Bridges have also been constructed by BRO to meet the immediate requirements of armed forces and people living in remote areas.
BRO has worked relentlessly even during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic restrictions continuing with works of strategic importance like the construction of major bridges and roads, Atal Tunnel Rohtang, Sela Tunnel etc, and Snow Clearance for the opening of Strategic Mountain Passes. #projects #tenders #infrastructure #bridges #tunnels /fiinews.com
