In a historic boost to India’s border security and connectivity, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday dedicated 125 newly completed Border Roads Organisation (BRO) projects to the nation — the highest number of infrastructure projects inaugurated at one time in the organisation’s history.
Valued at Rs 5,000 crore, the projects span some of India’s toughest frontiers — Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Mizoram and West Bengal. The infrastructure package includes 28 roads, 93 bridges, and four key operational facilities, drastically improving last-mile access to remote villages and high-altitude military posts.
Shyok Tunnel: A New Lifeline in One of the World’s Harshest Terrains
Speaking at the inauguration event on the Darbuk–Shyok–Daulat Beg Oldie Road (DS-DBO) — one of India’s most strategic routes near the Line of Actual Control — Singh highlighted the commissioning of the 920-metre Shyok Tunnel, calling it an engineering marvel built amid extreme cold, avalanches and unforgiving Himalayan geology.
The tunnel will ensure all-weather mobility to forward military areas, boosting both logistical efficiency and operational preparedness against adversaries.
Galwan War Memorial Inaugurated Remotely
In an emotional moment, the Defence Minister also virtually inaugurated the Galwan War Memorial in Arunachal Pradesh, honouring soldiers who displayed unmatched courage in defending India’s borders.
He said the Modi government’s consistent focus on border infrastructure showcases a clear vision for Viksit Bharat, where strong connectivity supports both national security and local economic revival.
Connectivity: The Backbone of Operation Sindoor
Referring to Operation Sindoor, launched after the tragic Pahalgam terror attack, Singh underlined how solid connectivity enabled swift troop movement, effective logistics and seamless coordination between the armed forces, civil administration and border residents.
“Roads and bridges don’t just connect places—they connect the nation’s strength, resilience and resolve,” he said.
India’s Economic Surge Linked to Connectivity Growth
Citing India’s impressive 8.2% GDP growth in Q2 2025–26, Singh said that strong infrastructure—especially in border areas—is a key driver of economic expansion, tourism, employment and national integration.
He praised BRO’s adoption of indigenous technology, including the use of Class-70 modular bridges developed with Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, calling it a glowing example of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in action.
BRO: The New Backbone of Strategic India
BRO Director General Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan expressed gratitude for the government’s support, noting that BRO is now the preferred execution agency for major ministries due to its ability to deliver complex projects in record time — from icy Himalayan passes to landslide-prone valleys.
Over the past two years alone, BRO has completed 356 projects, rescuing workers during the Mana avalanche, evacuating thousands during disasters in Sikkim and Jammu & Kashmir, and standing at the forefront of humanitarian and military operations.
A New Era of Border Development Begins
With India strengthening its boundaries through tunnels, highways, and bridges at an unprecedented pace, today’s inauguration marks more than an infrastructure milestone — it signals a strategic shift in India’s border readiness, and a declaration that development will reach even the most remote corners of the nation.
