Infrastructure Projects
118 infrastructure projects of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) were dedication to the nation by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh during 2023. In September, he launched 90 infrastructure projects, worth over Rs 2,900 crore, spread across 11 States/Union Territories. The projects were inaugurated at an event in Jammu. These include Nechiphu Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh; two airfields; two helipads; 22 roads and 63 bridges. Of these 90 projects, 36 are in Arunachal Pradesh; 26 in Ladakh; 11 in Jammu & Kashmir; five in Mizoram; three in Himachal Pradesh; two each in Sikkim, Uttarakhand & West Bengal and one each in Nagaland, Rajasthan and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The BRO has completed the construction of these strategically-important projects in record time; most of them in a single working season using state-of-the-art technology.
In January 2023, 28 infrastructure projects, worth Rs 724 crore, were launched during an event organised at Siyom Bridge on Along-Yinkiong Road in Arunachal Pradesh. The projects comprise 22 bridges, including Siyom bridge; three roads and three other projects in seven border States/Union Territories of Northern & North-Eastern regions. Eight of these projects are in Ladakh; five in Arunachal Pradesh; four in Jammu & Kashmir; three each in Sikkim, Punjab & Uttarakhand and two in Rajasthan. In addition, three telemedicine nodes – two in Ladakh & one in Mizoram – were inaugurated.
BRO Budget
The budget expenditure of BRO reached a record high of Rs 12,340 crore in FY 2022-23 with a 100% jump in the funds allocated under GS Capital Head over the preceding two years which now stands at Rs 5,000 crore.
Roads
During 2023, 601 kms of roads have been completed. Considerable progress has been made on India-China border roads and all other op-critical roads along the Northern borders. Works on critical roads like Nimu-Padam Darcha Road, Gunji-Kutti-Jolingkong Road, Balipara- Chardwar-Tawang Road, TCC-Taksing Road, TCC-Maza Road etc are being undertaken at increased pace. BRO’s work on Hapoli-Sarli-Huri Road for blacktopping for the first time since Independence, was commended by the Prime Minister.
Raqni-Ustad-Pharkiyan Gali Road (J&K): Work on this 38.25 km road along the Shamshabari Ridge was completed. This road will provide lateral connectivity between Sadhna Pass and Pharkiyan Gali.
Srinagar-BaramuIIa-Uri Road (Pkg IV) (J&K). Upgradation of NH-01 from NHDL to NHDL(PS) specification between Baramulla and Uri (44.10 kms) was sanctioned by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Alternate Connectivity to DBO Road (Ladakh):
Road Sasoma-Saser La (52.4 kms): In September, surfacing is in progress and will be completed in the next working season.
Road Saser La – Saser Brangsa (16 kms): Connectivity has been established and surfacing & permanent works are in progress.
Road Saser Brangsa-Morqo (18 kms): Work on this road is progressing well and connectivity was established in October 2022. Presently, 10.50 kms of black topping has been completed and balance surfacing is in progress.
Road Saser Brangsa-Gapshan (41.97 kms): Connectivity was achieved in October and formation, permanent & surfacing works are in progress.
Chushul-Dungti-Fukche-Demchok Road (Ladakh): Work on this strategically important 114.5 km road has being undertaken under Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) mode. 100.8 km formation has been completed and permanent works are in progress.
Gunii – Kutti – Jollingkong Road (Uttarakhand): Work on this 36.3 km road will be completed soon with surfacing works underway in full swing. This road will pave the way for millions of devotees to embark on a spiritual journey to Adi Kailash.
Road Ghatiabagarh-Lakhanpur-Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand): DPR for improvement of 81.30 km long road from Cl-9 (E) to NHDL with hard shoulder configuration under Bharatmala Pariyojna sanctioned and tendering action in progress.
Nyu Sobla – Tidang Road (Uttarakhand): The Nyu-Sobla-Tidang Road of approx 46.58 kms has been entrusted to BRO for further development & maintenance by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Most of the formation works have been completed.
MHA works: Four roads of a total of 255 kms have been approved by MHA for construction in Arunachal Pradesh under Project Arunank.
Glacial Lake Outburst Flood in Sikkim: In October, the southern bank of South Lhonak Lake in Sikkim was breached and large volume of water was released causing flash floods. The floods caused large scale devastation to the road infrastructure in North Sikkim. Approx 16 kms of stretches of seven roads and 15 bridges, being maintained by BRO, were damaged. BRO pressed all its resources to restore connectivity. The restoration works are being undertaken in a time bound, result oriented manner.
Tunnels
Currently, BRO is working on 20 tunnels with 10 under construction and 10 under planning stage. The 500 m long Nechiphu Tunnel on B-C-T Road (Arunachal Pradesh) was dedicated to the Nation by the Raksha Mantri in September. Further, the construction of 4.1 Km long Shinku La Tunnel is likely to commence soon, which will be the Highest Tunnel in the World at an altitude of 15,855 ft once completed.
Sela Tunnel: This Project on Balipara-Charduar-Tawang Road in Arunachal Pradesh encompasses two tunnels of twin tube configuration. The alignment reduces the travel distance by more than eight kms and cuts down the travelling time by an hour while obviating the Sela Pass climb, providing all weather connectivity to Tawang. This tunnel is nearing completion and will be the longest Bi-Lane Highway Tunnel in the world at an altitude of 13,800 feet once completed.
Kandi Tunnel (J&K). Breakthrough of 260m long Kandi Tunnel on NH-144A on Akhnoor to Poonch Road was achieved in October, despite adverse weather conditions. The work had commenced in March. This tunnel will reduce the length of the road by 2.5 kms and will play a vital role in enhancing connectivity from Jammu to Poonch.
Bridges
In the current year, 3,179m of bridges have been completed. Also, there has been a renewed impetus to bridges, with 22 bridges revived and completed in the last two years. MoU with GRSE for supply & launching of 60 Modular Double Lane Cl 70 Bridges was signed to enable faster replacement of old Bailey Bridges of lower load classification. 20 such Bridges have been completed till date. Further the following permanent Bridges have been completed and ready for opening to traffic.
Permanent Bridge over Shyok River (Ladakh): This 345.70m Bridge located at Saser Brangsa over River Shyok at an altitude of nearly 15,300 feet was planned & conceptualised in March. The construction was completed in October in a single working season, an unprecedented achievement at this altitude.
BRO works in Bhutan
Two Double Lane Steel Modular Bridges – Tshaphel and Kana – on Chuzom-Haa in Bhutan were inaugurated by Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Mr Lyonpo Dorji Tshering in October. These bridges were constructed within just three months. In addition to this, a 24m-long RCC Double lane Permanent Bridge was also inaugurated by the Mayor of Trashigang on the road from Daranga to Trashigong.
Airfields
Barrackpore and Bagdogra airfields in West Bengal were dedicated to the Nation by the Raksha Mantri in September. The development works on the recently allotted Nyoma Airfield at Eastern Ladakh have commenced.
New Technologies
BRO has incorporated several new and innovative technologies & equipment to boost the pace of construction in border areas such as cementitious bases for surfacing works of roads, use of geo cells, use of M 50 inter locking concrete blocks, slope stabilisation using geo-synthetic materials and pre-cast concrete technology.
Early Opening of Passes
BRO also ensured extended and early opening of crucial passes on strategically important roads along the borders, thereby enhancing the defence preparedness.
Rescue Operations Effort of BRO
A section of Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand), which was being constructed by NHIDCL on NH-134 in the Uttarkashi district collapsed in November trapping 41 workers on site. As part of the national effort, BRO undertook a task of construction of an 1,150m Approach Road for employment of drilling equipment (Vertical Shaft). The approach road was completed in record time of 48 hours. The trapped workers were rescued in November itself.
