Construction Mirror Article detail

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh dedicated 75 infrastructure projects built by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) at a function organised at Durbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie route (DS-DBO) road in Ladakh on October 28.India's road construction on the Durbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie route (DS-DBO) was one of the triggers for the military standoff between India and China in Ladakh in 2020 as the Chinese PLA was opposed to the strategic road that gave quick access to the Indian forces.The event's highlight was the onsite inauguration of the 120-metre-long Class 70 Shyok Setu on D-S-DBO Road at an altitude of 14,000 feet, the defence ministry said.The bridge will be of strategic importance as it will facilitate the logistics movement of the Armed Forces. Also, two helipads, one each in Hanle and Thakung in Eastern Ladakh, will enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force in the region.“These strategically important projects have been constructed at a total cost of Rs 2,180 crore by the BRO in record time, many of which have been completed in a single working season using state-of-the-art technology,” the defence ministry said.The 75 projects include 45 bridges, 27 roads, two Helipads and one Carbon Neutral Habitat.Most of these projects will boost infrastructure and provide better access for a quick mobilisation to the Line of Actual Control (LAC).These are spread across six states & two Union Territories (UTs). Twenty (20) of these projects are in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K); 18 in Ladakh & Arunachal Pradesh; five in Uttarakhand, and 14 in other border states of Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan.The BRO’s first Carbon Neutral Habitat at the height of 19,000 feet for its personnel was also inaugurated at Hanle, Ladakh.“It is BRO’s effort towards contributing to Ladakh’s resolve of becoming the country’s first Carbon Neutral Union Territory. The key features of this complex include the accommodation of 57 personnel and thermal comfort during extreme weather.It will enable BRO to operate efficiently during a large part of the winter,” the defence ministry said.Speaking on occasion, Rajnath Singh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensure the progress of far-flung areas to fulfil the security needs of the country, stressing that infrastructure development, along with the valour of the Armed Forces, was the main reason that helped India to effectively deal with the recent situation in the northern sector.The defence minister said connectivity with border areas is one of the government's focus areas for the holistic development of the nation.