Rajnath Singh inaugurating the infrastructure projects through videoconferencing. (Photo: MoD)
New Delhi: The defence minister, Rajnath Singh, has virtually inaugurated 75 projects worth ₹2,236 crore on Saturday. He did so at an event held at the Sukna Military Station near Siliguri in northern West Bengal’s Darjeeling district.
Speaking on the occasion, emphasized the government’s commitment to strengthening frontier regions, both militarily and economically. The ambitious programme, executed by the Border Roads Organization (BRO), spans 11 states and Union territories, comprising 22 roads, 51 bridges and two ancillary structures.
During the ceremony, Singh said, “These projects underscore our unwavering resolve to fortify our borders whilst ensuring the socio-economic advancement of these crucial areas.”
The lion’s share of the developments is concentrated in strategically vital regions, with Jammu & Kashmir receiving 19 projects, closely followed by Arunachal Pradesh with 18. Other beneficiaries include Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Himachal Pradesh, alongside isolated projects in West Bengal, Rajasthan, Nagaland, Mizoram, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
A BRO official highlighted the inauguration of the Kupup-Sherathang Road in Sikkim as a standout achievement, describing it as “a vital artery” linking the Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg and Zuluk axis.
This latest tranche of projects brings the BRO’s 2024 tally to 111, with a cumulative investment of ₹3,751 crore. Notable among these is the cutting-edge Se-la Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh, unveiled earlier this year by the prime minister, Narendra Modi.
The defence minister lauded the BRO for their tenacity in delivering these projects despite formidable geographical and climatic challenges. He also signalled the government’s intention to accelerate border infrastructure development in its third term, citing a substantial budgetary allocation of ₹6,500 crore for the BRO in the 2024-25 fiscal year.
“Over the past decade, we've woven an intricate tapestry of roads connecting our villages to cities, catalysing unprecedented national progress,” Singh remarked. He assured citizens that border area development would continue to evolve, predicting that India will emerge as one of the “safest and most formidable” nations in the foreseeable future.
The virtual ceremony at the primary venue, Sherathang, was attended by several high-ranking officials, including the Sikkim chief minister, Prem Singh Tamang; the defence secretary-designate, RK Singh; the Indian Army chief, General Upendra Dwivedi; etc.
The governors and chief ministers from various states and Union Territories participated remotely.
