Rajnath Singh inaugurates 6 critical bridges built by BRO in J&K; Know more-
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New Delhi, July 09: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurates 6 critical bridges constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in Jammu and Kashmir, via video conferencing on Thursday. He unveiled the four bridges in the Akhnoor sector and two in the Jammu-Rajpura area constructed at a cost of Rs 45 crore.
The Minister has lauded the BRO for putting all the efforts in completing the bridges in record time. "I congratulate all ranks of BRO for completing these bridges in the record time. These projects are the lifelines in far-flung areas close to border," he said.
Further, he said that since the formation of BRO, it has always been at the forefront of developing infrastructure in far-flung areas. It has completed the construction of 160 meters long Tarnah I and 300-meter long Tarnah II bridges, fulfilling the aspiration of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Border Road Organisation has constructed six strategically important bridges in Jammu and Kashmir. Dedicating those bridges to the nation. Do watch https://t.co/WWG89hf5GK
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 9, 2020
The government is regularly monitoring the progress of all BRO projects and adequate funds are being given for their timely execution. The Minister said that these bridges will facilitate the movement of the Armed Forces in these strategically important sectors and also contribute towards the overall economic growth of remote border areas.
"In total, we are making 17 bridges, of which 6 have been completed, 5 of them will be completed by next month & others will be completed by March 2021. So, all bridges are being made much before time," BRO Director Lieutenant General Harpal Singh said.
The two bridges on the Tarnah Nallah in Kathua District and four bridges located on Akhnoor-Pallanwala road in Akhnoor/Jammu district have spans ranging from 30 to 300 meters and were constructed at a total cost of Rs 43 crores. These bridges constructed by Project Sampark of the BRO will facilitate the movement of Armed Forces in this strategically important sector and will also contribute towards the overall economic growth of remote border areas.
It is apparent that there has been a major surge in outcomes delivered by the BRO in the last few years. This is evident from the fact that BRO has executed about 30 percent more works in the financial year (FY) 2019-20 as compared to FY 2018-19. This has happened because of adequate budgetary support from the Government and due to the effect of structural reforms and focussed/dedicated efforts by the BRO.
The annual budget of the BRO that varied from Rs 3,300 crore to Rs 4,600 crore in the FY 2008-2016, saw a substantial rise to Rs 8,050 crore in FY 2019-2020. With the focus of the Government in improving infrastructure in border areas, the budget for FY 2020-2021 is likely to be Rs 11,800 crore. This will give a major boost to ongoing projects and will expedite the construction of strategic roads, bridges, and tunnels along our northern borders.
Further, amid escalated tension between India and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Lt Gen Harpal Singh had made a visit to the under-construction 8.8-km-long Atal Rohtang Tunnel that is set for a September opening.
Last month, the Central government had approved an additional Rs, 1,691 crores for highway works by the BRO in Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand. Meanwhile, Singh on Tuesday reviewed the ongoing projects with Border Roads Organisation (BRO) Chief Lt Gen Harpal Singh and senior officials here.
In May, it successfully dug up 440 m long Tunnel below the busy Chamba town on Rishikesh-Dharasu road Highway(NH 94). Reducing traffic congestion and distance to the Chambal town in future, the development of roads in these areas will ease the movement for Yatris on Chardham Yatra and bring economic prosperity.
In the same month, the BRO built an 80 km long crucial road from Ghatiabgarh to Lipulekh, vastly reducing travel time to Manas Sarovar Yatra.
The BRO has already completed the work on the 255 Km-long strategic Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie (DSDBO) road as the tensions heightened with China following a brutal clash on June 15-16.
BRO has executed about 30 percent more works in 2019-20 as compared to 2018-19. It has worked incessantly even during the restrictions imposed due to COVID-19 without affecting the progress of various projects.
Despite unprecedented snowfall, breaking 60-year-old records, all strategic passes and roads were cleared this year for traffic about one month before their average yearly opening dates. The Border Roads executed snow clearance works on 149 roads (of 3,965 kilometers) in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.