RAJNATH SINGH INAUGURATES 125 BORDER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
New Delhi, Dec 08, 2025 : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday dedicated 125 newly completed Border Roads Organisation (BRO) infrastructure projects to the nation, marking the highest number and value of inaugurations undertaken by the agency in a single day. The projects, worth around Rs.5,000 crore, include 28 roads, 93 bridges and four miscellaneous works across Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir and seven border states.
The launch event was held at the strategic Shyok Tunnel on the Darbuk–Shyok–Daulat Beg Oldie (DS-DBO) Road in Ladakh. The 920-metre cut-and-cover tunnel, inaugurated as part of the project list, is expected to ensure all-weather connectivity to one of India’s most critical forward areas, which frequently faces heavy snowfall and extreme temperatures.
Singh said the infrastructure push reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening border regions in line with the Viksit Bharat vision. Enhanced connectivity, he noted, supports military mobility, logistics, economic activity, tourism and public confidence in governance.
The Defence Minister also virtually inaugurated the Galwan War Memorial in Arunachal Pradesh, honouring the sacrifices of Indian soldiers.
Highlighting the importance of connectivity during “Operation Sindoor” earlier this year, Singh said the success of the counter-terror operation was made possible by strong coordination among the armed forces, civil authorities and border residents. He called this cooperation “India’s identity,” crediting local communities for their support.
Singh added that improved border infrastructure is also tied to the country’s economic progress, citing India’s 8.2% GDP growth in the second quarter of 2025–26 despite global conflicts and regional security challenges.
The Minister praised BRO personnel for their humanitarian efforts, including recent rescue operations in Uttarakhand, North Sikkim and Jammu & Kashmir. He also commended the organisation’s adoption of advanced engineering technologies, such as indigenous Class-70 modular bridges developed under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
BRO’s capital expenditure reached a record Rs.16,690 crore in 2024–25, with a target of Rs.18,700 crore set for 2025–26. Singh reiterated the government’s focus on boosting defence manufacturing, noting that India’s defence production has risen from Rs.46,000 crore in 2014 to Rs.1.51 lakh crore, while exports have climbed to nearly Rs.24,000 crore.
BRO Director General Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan credited government support and policy reforms for enabling the organisation to expand its role in executing complex projects for key ministries in challenging terrains.
In the last two years, 356 BRO projects have been inaugurated nationwide. The Union Budget for 2025–26 increased the BRO allocation from Rs.6,500 crore to Rs.7,146 crore, underscoring its growing strategic importance.