NEW DELHI, Feb 2: The Central Government has increased the capital outlay for the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), by a record 40 percent to Rs 35,000 crore in the budget as compared to Rs 2,500 crore in 2021-2022.
In 2021, BRO executed a record number of infrastructure projects, at very high altitudes and in extreme weather conditions, amidst the raging pandemic. 102 roads and bridges at various places in the North-Western and Eastern States of the country were dedicated to the nation by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in the year 2021. This include the world’s highest motorable road at Umling La at 19,024 feet.
The enhanced budgetary allocation is a reaffirmation of the Government’s resolve to focus on border area development. The BRO with its persistent commitment to enhancing connectivity to far-flung remote areas, irrespective of the terrain and weather conditions, is not just contributing to enhanced operational preparedness but making a very significant contribution towards socio-economic integration and development of the regions.
This budgetary impetus will further facilitate BRO to construct bridges, roads and tunnels to assist in speedy mobilisation of the Armed Forces to strategically important sectors, further bolstering the security environment. It will also contribute significantly towards the overall economic growth of remote border areas specially in UT of Ladakh, J&K and the States of Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, an official statement said. (Agencies)