The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) organised an event at New Delhi to mark its 65th Raising Day on Tuesday. Raised with just two projects in 1960 – Project Tusker (now Vartak) in the East and Project Beacon in the North, the BRO has today become a vibrant organisation with 18 projects operating in 11 States and three Union Territories.
The BRO executes road construction and maintenance works at altitude ranging from 9,000 ft up to 19,000 ft along the Northern and Western frontiers, primarily to meet the strategic requirements of the Armed Forces.
In over six decades, it has constructed over 62,214 kms of roads, 1,005 bridges, seven tunnels and 21 airfields in adverse climatic and geographical conditions along India’s borders as well as in friendly countries, including Bhutan, Myanmar, Afghanistan and Tajikistan, thus contributing towards the nation’s strategic objectives.
Addressing the 65th Raising Day event, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane lauded the BRO for fulfilling its responsibilities successfully and in a time-bound manner in inhospitable terrain and tough weather conditions. He termed the Border Roads Organisation an extremely crucial organisation which, through its infrastructure projects in border areas, is playing a major role in the security of the country, besides ensuring the socio-economic progress of far-flung areas.
Aramane urged the BRO to infuse latest technology and techniques for faster completion of projects, through which human efforts will be reduced and utilised more efficiently. Automation and mechanisation will be key for the BRO in the future, he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Director General, Border Roads, Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan extended greetings to all ranks of the BRO. He stated that the pan-India presence of the BRO reflects its commitment to national security, connectivity and development. He added that the tagline ‘In the Silence of Our Great Mountains – Work Speaks’ speaks volumes of the Organisation’s dedication, perseverance and impact on the lives of the people residing in the remotest corners of the country. He exhorted all ranks to renew the pledge to continue ‘Connecting Places Connecting People’ and leaving a lasting legacy of progress, prosperity and unity.
The event also witnessed the unveiling of a compendium on Sela Tunnel as well as some books including ‘Oonchin Sadaken’, ‘Path Pradarshak’ and ‘Path Vikas’ by the Defence Secretary. He gave away Excellence Awards to the Border Roads Organisation personnel for the year 2023-24 and felicitated the women achievers of the Organisation. The Casual Paid Labourers who worked in various projects such as Sela Tunnel, as well as during Sikkim floods were also felicitated.
Defence Secretary Shri @giridhararamane today presented Award of Excellence & felicitations of CPLs of @BROindia on the occasion of 65th Raising Day of Border Roads Organisation, today. (6/6) pic.twitter.com/DGcaLtVGY0
— A. Bharat Bhushan Babu (@SpokespersonMoD) May 7, 2024
