Rajnath Singh inaugurates 7 roads, 12 bridges in J&K

Jammu, Oct 12: Nineteen critical infrastructure projects, including seven roads and 12 bridges, in J&K were among 75 projects virtually inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday.

These projects in J&K have been constructed at the cost of Rs 731.22 crore by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).

The Defence Minister virtually inaugurated these projects from Headquarters Trishakti Corps, Sukhna, West Bengal.

Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Gen Upendra Dwivedi and Defence Secretary-designate R K Singh were also present in the inaugural function.

Chief Ministers and Governors of concerning states and union territories joined the function virtually.

J&K was represented by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Union Minister of State in PMO Jitendra Singh, Member of Parliament Jugal Kishore Sharma virtually, and other local representatives.

Among J&K road projects, which were inaugurated today included Bishnah-Kaulpur-Khojipur road (km 0 to 24.328) constructed by expending Rs 73.26 crore; Basohli-Bani-Bhaderwah (km 70 to km 89) worth Rs 97.76 crore, Basohli-Bani-Bhaderwah (km 89 to km 102) constructed at a cost of Rs 81.42 crore, Galhar-Sansari (km 0 to km 10) by expending Rs 37.69 crore under Project Sampark of BRO in Jammu division.

While in the Kashmir division, Bandipur-Gurez road was constructed at a cost of Rs 230.54 crore, Mohura-Baaz at a cost of Rs 134.99 crore and Tutmarigali-Kaiyan Bowl constructed at a cost of Rs 24.35 crore under Project Beacon of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).

In addition, 12 bridges at Sawan, Sanu, Naigarh, Channani, Nantoo, Korga, Sewa-II, Biyalu, Dersu, Nirunar, Gurai and Garjun were constructed at the cost of Rs 51.21 crore in different areas of J&K.

The construction of nine bridges, including Sanu, Chenani and Korga having a span of 40 m, 50 m and 55 m over Domail-Jindrah-Kharta road, Dersu bridge with 16 m span on road Dhar-Udhampur, will provide all-weather connectivity to forward defence line of armed forces, civilian vehicles and upper region and reaches of Udhampur, Kathua and Jammu districts.

“It will also boost the socio-economic development of local inhabitants by generating new opportunities for employment and tourism businesses,” a defence spokesperson said.

According to him, Naigarh and Nantoo bridges with 75 m and 35 m span constructed on road Dul-Galhar in J&K as also the road Galhar-Sansari will provide all-weather connectivity to local inhabitants, tourist and pilgrims spots – Machail Mata Yatra and Buddhist festival at Paddar generating new opportunities for employment and tourism business.

Biyalu, Sewa-II, and Sawan bridges with a span of 40, 47 and 37 m have been constructed on the Basohli-Bani-Bhaderwah road and also the Basohli-Bani-Bhaderwah road will enhance the socio-economic potential of the region and serve as a lifeline for the people in the upper reaches of the Kathua district and connectivity between higher reaches of Bani and Bhaderwah to commercial town Basohli.

The construction of the Bishnah-Kaulpur-Khojipur road will improve all-weather connectivity to the commuters in the border areas of the Samba district and boost socio-economic development of local inhabitants.

In all, 75 infrastructure projects have been constructed by the BRO at a cost of Rs 2236 crore in 11 border states and union territories of the country.

According to the defence spokesperson, these infrastructure projects have been constructed under challenging weather conditions at places with the most inhospitable terrain.

The Defence Minister, while inaugurating these projects, lauded BRO’s commitment towards establishing connectivity in far-flung areas by ensuring timely completion of these roads and bridges.

He said that in the last five years, BRO had completed 450 infrastructure projects at a cost of over Rs 16,000 crore and this year with these 75 infra projects BRO dedicated a record 111 infrastructure projects to the nation.

The Defence Minister appreciated the feat of construction of these 75 infrastructure projects at such an expeditious pace during this year.

He said that such performance of the BRO was unprecedented and was a reflection of the grit and determination of the entire organisation.

He also lauded the BRO’s effort of always being at the forefront in constructing more than 40 percent of roads in high-altitude areas with hostile terrain, harsh weather, low oxygen levels, and extreme cold. “Despite these challenges, the BRO remains committed towards its mission of ‘Connecting Place, Connecting People,’” he said.

The Defence Minister reaffirmed the government’s resolve to ensure better infrastructure development in border areas keeping in view the nation’s security needs.

He expressed his confidence in BRO’s contribution to nation-building by promoting enhanced defence preparedness and ushering economic development in border states through improved connectivity despite tremendous challenges of terrain and weather conditions.

The defence spokesperson said that BRO completed the construction of these critical strategic projects in a record time frame and many of these projects were constructed in a single working season using state-of-the-art technology.

Besides J&K, of these 75 projects, 11 projects have been constructed in Ladakh; 18 in Arunachal Pradesh; nine in Uttrakhand; six in Sikkim; five in Himachal Pradesh; two each in West Bengal and Rajasthan and one each in Nagaland, Mizoram, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Local representatives and senior Army, BRO, and civil administration officers attended the function virtually in the Kashmir and Jammu divisions, where these projects were inaugurated.

LG thanks PM Modi, Rajnath Singh

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh; BRO’s Project Beacon and Sampark and everyone associated with the construction of the important roads and bridges in Jammu and Kashmir.

“These infrastructures are strategically vital for both the Army and civil administration and will prove to be an economic lifeline for the people in far-flung areas,” he said. “In the last few years, the road infrastructure and connectivity in J&K, especially in areas of strategic importance have been transformed. This reflects the commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi towards inclusive and equitable development across J&K and ensuring 'last mile connectivity.’”

The LG said that the much-awaited road and bridge projects inaugurated on Saturday would have a positive impact on border tourism, the creation of new employment opportunities, bringing economic prosperity to the society, and enhance the quality of life in forward areas.

“These projects will improve the operational capacity of the Indian Army and boost mobility and logistics support for the troops,” he said.

The LG also lauded the important contribution of BRO to the socio-economic transformation and national integration in the border areas.