GANGTOK, (IPR): Raksha Mantri Rajnath
Singh virtually inaugurated 75 Border Roads Organisation (BRO) infrastructure
projects worth Rs 2,236 crore on October 12.
Chief
Minister Prem Singh Tamang was physically present in the main venue Sherathang
in the presence of the Chief of the Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi,
Defence Secretary-designate RK Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief,
Eastern Command Lt Gen Ram Chander Tiwari, DG Border Roads Lt Gen Raghu
Srinivasan, General Officer Commanding, Trishakti Corps Lt Gen Zubin A Minwalla
during the virtual inauguration.
These
projects included 22 roads, 51 bridges, and two miscellaneous projects,
spanning 11 States and Union Territories, enhancing defense and socio-economic
development. Sikkim got four roads and two bridges inaugurated; notable was the
Kupup-Sherathang Road, a key link in the region.
The Raksha
Mantri emphasized the government’s commitment of strengthening border
infrastructure and highlighted the increased BRO budget of Rs 6,500 crore for
2024-25. He praised BRO personnel for overcoming harsh conditions and
reaffirmed India’s focus on border area development for a safer, stronger
future.
The Raksha
Mantri noted that prior to 2014, governments were hesitant to develop border
areas, fearing they could be exploited by adversaries. However, he emphasized
that since PM Modi’s government took office, border infrastructure has been a
key focus, especially in the North-East, due to its critical socio-economic and
strategic importance.
Chief
Minister Prem Singh Tamang extended his deepest gratitude to the Raksha Mantri
for this significant inauguration, and offered his heartiest congratulations
and sincere thanks to the Indian Army and the BRO for their remarkable
accomplishments, as well as their exemplary hospitality and excellent
organization of the event.
The
inauguration ceremony was also virtually joined by the esteemed dignitaries
representing Jammu and Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Rajasthan, Nagaland,
Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal and
Mizoram.