Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Defence, focusing on the role of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in enhancing border infrastructure and national security.
The meeting saw detailed discussions on defence preparedness, infrastructure development, and strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening operational capabilities across border regions.
Emphasising the importance of robust infrastructure, the Defence Minister said the BRO is playing a pivotal role in creating an integrated ecosystem that supports national security, development, and connectivity. He highlighted the organisation’s contribution in improving connectivity in the North-East and in Left-Wing Extremism-affected areas, noting that these efforts have aided both defence mobility and socio-economic transformation.
“The BRO has facilitated the mobility of defence forces and brought positive changes in the lives of people living in border areas,” he said.
Rajnath Singh also pointed out that the BRO has been entrusted with developing infrastructure along the Indo-Myanmar border, covering nearly 1,600 kilometres, which is expected to further strengthen border management.
The Committee reviewed progress under the Border Roads Development Programme 2023–28, under which more than 1,000 projects — including road construction, upgradation, and maintenance — are currently underway. These projects aim to ensure all-weather connectivity in remote and high-altitude areas, thereby enhancing operational readiness.
Highlighting the use of modern technology, the Defence Minister said the BRO is increasingly adopting advanced construction techniques, including high-altitude equipment, modular bridges, and precast technologies, to improve both speed and quality of infrastructure development.
A comprehensive presentation was made by Director General Border Roads Harpal Singh, outlining the organisation’s achievements and challenges. Established in 1960, the BRO has constructed over 64,000 kilometres of roads, 1,179 bridges, 22 airfields, and seven tunnels, significantly boosting connectivity and operational preparedness in border areas.
The Committee was also informed about BRO’s contributions to disaster management and its role in executing infrastructure projects in friendly countries such as Afghanistan, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Tajikistan.
