New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh dedicated 75 infrastructure projects built by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in Ladakh to the nation. These strategically important projects have been constructed at a cost of Rs 2,180 crore by the BRO in record time, many of which have been completed in a single working season using state-of-the-art technology.
Appreciating the BRO for achieving the feat despite challenging weather conditions, the Defence Minister in his remarks pointed out that the projects will bolster the country’s defence preparedness and ensure the economic development of border areas. These 75 projects--45 bridges, 27 roads, two helipads and one carbon-neutral habitat-- are spread across six states and two Union Territories (UTs). Twenty of these projects are in Jammu & Kashmir; 18 each in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh; five in Uttarakhand and 14 in other border states of Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan.
Taking a jibe at the previous governments for the lack of infrastructure in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, Singh said that this was one of the reasons behind the rise of terrorism in the UT. These internal disturbances resulted in a significant decline in tourist footfall that impacted Ladakh and the entire nation, he added.
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"Now, due to the government’s efforts, the region is witnessing a new dawn of peace and progress. Our aim is to continue with the development of all states/UTs of the country. Soon, all the remote areas will be connected with the rest of the country and together we will take the nation to newer heights of progress. BRO has a crucial role in achieving this objective", said Singh.
Reaffirming the Modi's government commitment to ensure the progress of far-flung areas to fulfil the security needs of the country, Defence Minister stressed and said that infrastructure development, along with the valour of the Armed Forces, was the main reason that helped India to effectively deal with the recent situation in the northern sector.
He termed the new 75 projects as a testament to that resolve and said that these bridges, roads and helipads will facilitate military and civil transport in far-flung areas of the western, northern, and north-eastern parts of the country, forming a part of the development chain. And, described connectivity with border areas as one of the focus areas of the government for the holistic development of the nation.
This development comes against the backdrop of India's persistent focus on strengthening India's security forces, connectivity and development in the bordering areas at a time when India is facing a critical challenge from China's expansionist and iron-hand policy at India's northern and north-eastern borders.
