BRO is the Nation’s brother in developing infra, says Rajnath Singh
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has dedicated to the nation 28 infrastructure projects of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) during an event organised at Siyom Bridge on Along-Yinkiong Road in Arunachal Pradesh on 3 January 2023.
The Rs.724 crore projects comprise 22 bridges, including Siyom bridge, three roads and three other projects in seven border States and Union Territories of Northern & North-Eastern regions.
Eight of these projects are in Ladakh, five in Arunachal Pradesh, four in Jammu & Kashmir, three each in Sikkim, Punjab and Uttarakhand as well as two in Rajasthan.
In addition, three telemedicine nodes, two in Ladakh and one in Mizoram, were inaugurated.
The Minister described the projects as a testament to the Government’s and BRO’s concerted efforts towards the development of border areas in order to enhance the operational preparedness of the Armed Forces and ensure socio-economic development of the far-flung regions.
He asserted that it is the top Government’s priority to connect the border areas and ensure the development of its residents.
Rajnath Singh emphasised that the aim is to build a strong and self-reliant ‘New India’ to effectively deal with future challenges which may arise due to the constantly-evolving global scenario.
Terming infrastructure development as a game changer for the people residing in border areas, Rajnath Singh lauded the BRO for ensuring socio-economic development in far-flung regions.
He stressed that the Government is paying special attention to the development of the North-Eastern region, which has strengthened the country’s security system.
For the Organisation’s relentless efforts to support the Armed Forces and the local people, Rajnath Singh coined a new phrase “BRO is the Nation’s bro (brother)”.
Quoting a famous phrase ‘It’s not the destination, it’s the journey’, he said the construction of road infrastructure in border areas is a journey for BRO and a strong and prosperous India should be its destination.
The event at Along-Yinkiong Road witnessed the physical inauguration of the strategically-important Siyom Bridge, while the other projects were dedicated to the nation virtually.
The 100-m Siyom Bridge is a state-of-the-art Class 70 Steel Arch Superstructure over Siyom River in Arunachal Pradesh.
The Minister e-inaugurated 3 telemedicine nodes will be connected with Service hospitals through VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) satellite communications system. It will provide prompt medical intervention for medical & surgical emergencies through Telemedicine consultation with specialists at Service hospitals using SATCOM VSAT communication.
This is one of the unique achievements for BRO in providing medical services to its personnel in remote border locations through use of space technology.
He expressed hope that these nodes will prove to be helpful for the health-related needs of the local people.
With the inauguration of these 28 projects, which were completed in 2022, a total of 103 infrastructure projects of BRO were dedicated to the nation in the year at a total cost of Rs.2,897 crore.
Last October, the Minister inaugurated 75 BRO projects, worth Rs.2,173 crore, from Shyok village in Ladakh. In 2021, 102 projects, costing Rs.2,229 crore, were dedicated to the nation.
Rajnath Singh commended the dedication and fast pace with which the BRO has carried out development works in the last few years despite challenging weather conditions at tough locations.
On the occasion, the Minister also released a Compendium on New Technologies. It incorporates the latest technologies being adopted by the BRO in construction of roads, bridges, airfields and tunnel infrastructure to negate the effects of remote and hostile terrain with adverse weather condition, which unduly affects the quality of civil engineering works and meeting the completion timelines. fiinews.com
