65th Raising Day of BRO, History and Significance

The Border Road Organisation (BRO) celebrated its 65th raising day on 7 May 2024. A ceremony was organised in New Delhi on the occasion, presided over by the Union Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane. The defence secretary praised BRO's contribution to building infrastructure in inhospitable areas and tough weather conditions.

About Border Road Organisation’s History   

The Border Road Organisation was set up on 7 May 1960 by the Pandit Nehru government to execute crucial road projects vital for the Army. It started its operation in May 1960 with two projects: Project Tuskar in the East and Project Beacon in the West.

Project Tuskar, now renamed Project Vartak job, was to build a road between Bhalukpong and Tenga in Arunachal Pradesh. 

Project Beacon was launched to build and maintain roads in the strategically important Kashmir region for the Indian Army.

Functions of BRO 

• The BRO's main function is to construct and maintain roads in the border areas, which have been classified as General staff roads per the country's defence requirements.
• It specialises in building roads of strategic importance for the armed forces at an altitude of 9,000 feet to 19,000 feet along the northern and Western borders.
• The BRO also executes Agency Works entrusted to it by other Central government ministries and departments, state governments, and other semi-government organisations. 
• It has now diversified into building airfields, permanent steel and pre-stressed concrete bridges and accommodation projects.
• It also undertakes projects in friendly neighbouring countries like Bhutan, Afghanistan, Myanmar and Tajikistan. 

Achievements of the BRO 

• At present, the BRO is executing 18 projects in 11 states and 3 Union Territories.
• Since its inception in 1960, the BRO has constructed over 62,214 km of roads, 1,005 bridges, seven tunnels and 21 airfields in India and Bhutan, Myanmar, Afghanistan & Tajikistan. 
• BRO completed a total of 125 infrastructure projects worth Rs 3,611 crore in 2023-24.. 
• It has completed the world’s longest bi-lane tunnel, the Sela Tunnel, in Arunachal Pradesh. The Sela Tunnel comprises two tunnels: a 1,003-metre single-tube tunnel and a 1,595-metre double tunnel with an emergency escape tube. It has an 8.6 km-long approach and link roads.
• The BRO will soon commence construction on the 4.10-km-long Shinkun La Tunnel. The tunnel will connect Himachal Pradesh Lahaul Valley with the Zanskar Valley of Ladakh.  After completion, the tunnel will be the world’s highest tunnel, at 15,800 feet, bypassing the Mila Tunnel in China, which is 15,590 feet.

Ministry and Tagline of the BRO 

The Border Road Organisation is part of the Union Ministry of Defence and is always headed by an Army officer.

The current Director General of the BRO is Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan.

Tagline of BRO: In the Silence of Our Great Mountains – Work Speaks’