125 border infrastructure projects worth Rs 5,000 crore dedicated to nation

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday inaugurated 125 infrastructure projects constructed by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) from Ladakh.

Spread across seven states of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Mizoram, and two Union Territories, Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir, these projects include 28 roads, 93 bridges and four miscellaneous works, which have been executed at a cost of about Rs 5,000 crore.

These upgraded infrastructure projects will significantly improve last-mile connectivity to remote villages and forward military locations, bringing these areas closer to the national mainstream, a defence spokesperson said.

The inauguration event was organised on the Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie Road at the Shyok Tunnel, which is among the key projects inaugurated by the Defence Minister. This is an engineering marvel, built in one of the world’s toughest and most challenging terrain, will ensure all-weather, reliable connectivity to this strategic area.

This 920-metre ‘cut-and-cover’ tunnel will significantly enhance security, mobility, and rapid deployment capabilities, especially during harsh winters, as the region is prone to heavy snowfall, avalanches and extreme temperatures.

Singh also virtually inaugurated the Galwan War Memorial in Ladakh to honour the bravery, commitment and sacrifice of the Armed Forces personnel. He voiced the government’s resolve to develop the border areas, stating that these connectivity tools are lifelines for security, economy, and disaster management.

“There are numerous benefits of robust infrastructure in border areas. It ensures military mobility, smooth transportation of logistics, increase in tourism & employment opportunities and, most importantly, stronger faith in development, democracy and the government,” he said.

The Defence Minister said that the speed with which India is strengthening its borders with roads, tunnels, smart fencing, integrated command centres and surveillance systems is proof that connectivity is a backbone of security, not a separate entity.

On Operation Sindoor, Singh said the Armed Forces launched the operation in response to the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. “Everybody knows what befell on those terrorists. We could have done much more, but our forces, demonstrating both courage and patience, only did what was necessary. Such a massive operation was possible due to our strong connectivity. Logistics were delivered to the Armed Forces in a timely manner. Our connectivity with the border areas was maintained, making the operation a historic success,” he said.

He said the coordination between the Armed Forces and the civil administration, along with the people of border areas, during the operation was incredible. “This coordination; this mutualism is our identity. This is what makes us unique in the world,” he remarked.

Referring to India’s GDP growth, which reached 8.2 per cent in the second quarter of 2025-26, the Defence Minister stated that connectivity and communication play a significant role in not just security, but economic prosperity as well. “This growth is the result of policies and reforms, as well as the hard work of every Indian. We’re witnessing many wars and conflicts today. Post Operation Sindoor, we also witnessed a major conflict. But despite these challenges, our economy continues to grow, we continue to move forward,” he said.

Singh also pointed out that, in the financial year 2024-25, BRO incurred a record expenditure of Rs 16,690 crore, the highest ever, and a target of Rs 18,700 crore has been set for the 2025-26 fiscal.

Director-General Border Roads Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan, said BRO has emerged as the agency of choice for key central ministries, including the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for executing critical infrastructure projects in the country’s most challenging and strategically significant terrains.

Rajasthan Governor, Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde, Mizoram Governor-General (Dr) Vijay Kumar Singh, Ladakh Lt Gov Kavinder Gupta, J&K Lt Gov Manoj Sinha, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of Parliamentary and Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, Chief of the Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, Defence Secretary, Rajesh Kumar Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, General Officer Commanding, 14 Corps Lt Gen Hitesh Bhalla, other senior officials and BRO personnel attended the event.

In the last two years, a total of 356 BRO infrastructure projects in diverse and challenging regions, including high-altitude, snowbound, desert, flood-prone and dense forest terrains, have been dedicated to the nation. The government has enhanced BRO’s budget from Rs 6,500 crore to Rs 7,146 crore in the Union Budget 2025-26 in view of its critical role in national security and development.