In a landmark boost to India’s border connectivity, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh on Sunday dedicated 125 strategic infrastructure projects of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to the nation from Ladakh — the highest number of inaugurations ever conducted simultaneously.
The projects, worth ₹5,000 crore, include 28 roads, 93 bridges and 4 miscellaneous works spread across two Union Territories—Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir—and seven states: Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Mizoram.
Shyok Tunnel Among Key Projects
The event was held on the strategic Darbuk–Shyok–Daulat Beg Oldie (DS-DBO) Road, where Rajnath Singh inaugurated the 920-metre Shyok Tunnel. Built in one of the world’s most challenging terrains, the tunnel provides all-weather access, ensuring secure and rapid troop movement to key forward locations, particularly during heavy snowfall and harsh winters.
The Raksha Mantri said the project will significantly enhance security, mobility, and deployment capabilities along the critical northern frontier.
Galwan War Memorial Inaugurated Virtually
Rajnath Singh also virtually inaugurated the Galwan War Memorial, built to honour the supreme sacrifice and bravery of Indian soldiers in the Galwan Valley.
“Operation Sindoor Succeeded Because of Strong Connectivity”
Speaking at the ceremony, the Raksha Mantri said the success of Operation Sindoor, launched after the Pahalgam terror attack, was enabled by robust border connectivity and seamless coordination between the Armed Forces, civil administration and border residents.
“This mutualism is India’s identity and what makes us unique in the world,” he said.
Border Infrastructure: A Pillar of Security & Development
Highlighting the government’s commitment to border development, Rajnath Singh said that strong infrastructure improves:
- Military mobility
- Logistics and supply chain reliability
- Tourism and employment
- Disaster response
- Public confidence in national development
He emphasised that the rapid pace of roads, tunnels, smart fencing, command centres and surveillance systems along India’s borders reflects a security philosophy where connectivity is the backbone of national defence.
Record BRO Performance
The Raksha Mantri applauded BRO’s exceptional performance, noting:
- Record expenditure of ₹16,690 crore in FY 2024–25
- Target of ₹18,700 crore for FY 2025–26
- Significant contribution to rescue operations in Uttarakhand, North Sikkim and J&K this year
- Progress in indigenous Class-70 modular bridges, manufactured with Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers
“These bridges and roads are powerful examples of India’s growing engineering self-reliance under Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” he added.
Defence Production Sees Historic Growth
Rajnath Singh highlighted India’s transformation in defence manufacturing, stating that defence production has risen from ₹46,000 crore in 2014 to ₹1.51 lakh crore in 2025, while defence exports have surged from less than ₹1,000 crore to nearly ₹24,000 crore in just a decade.
BRO: The ‘Agency of Choice’
BRO Director General Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan thanked the government for its support, noting that BRO is now the preferred executing agency for ministries including Home Affairs, External Affairs and Road Transport due to its proven ability to operate in the most challenging terrains.
Background
In the last two years alone, 356 BRO projects have been dedicated to the nation. With increased funding—from ₹6,500 crore to ₹7,146 crore in the 2025–26 Union Budget—BRO continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening India’s border security, connectivity and strategic readiness.
