Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Sunday inaugurated 125 infrastructure projects of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), including the Shyok Tunnel on the Durbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie Road that runs along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. He also virtually inaugurated the Galwan War Memorial in eastern Ladakh to honour the Army personnel killed in the clash with Chinese soldiers in 2020.
The Shyok Tunnel is of key strategic significance as it would provide all-weather connectivity to areas close to the LAC; it would particularly help in the quick mobilisation and redeployment of troops when needed. Sources said the tunnel will also likely reduce dependence on air maintenance and resolve logistical challenges in the difficult terrains.
“This engineering marvel, built in one of the world’s toughest and most challenging terrain, will ensure all-weather, reliable connectivity to this strategic area,” Singh said. The 920-metre cut-and-cover tunnel will significantly enhance security, mobility, and rapid deployment capabilities, especially during harsh winters, as the region is prone to heavy snowfall, avalanches, and extreme temperatures, he added.
The 125 infrastructure projects are spread across two Union Territories — Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir — and seven states: Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Mizoram, according to a Defence Ministry statement. They include 28 roads, 93 bridges and four other miscellaneous projects constructed for Rs 5,000 crore.
According to the Ministry’s statement, these upgraded infrastructure projects will significantly improve last-mile connectivity to remote villages and forward military locations.
Invoking Operation Sindoor, Singh said, “Everybody knows what happened to those terrorists. We could have done much more, but our forces, demonstrating both courage and patience, only did what was necessary.”
He said such a massive operation was possible due to India’s strong connectivity, with the timely delivery of logistics to the Armed Forces. “Our connectivity with the border areas was maintained, making the operation a historic success,” he added.
During the inauguration, Singh said there are numerous benefits of robust infrastructure in border areas. “It ensures military mobility, smooth transportation of logistics, increase in tourism and employment opportunities and, most importantly, stronger faith in development, democracy and the government,” he added.
The Defence Minister said the speed with which India is strengthening its borders with roads, tunnels, smart fencing, integrated command centers and surveillance systems is proof that connectivity is the backbone of security, and not a separate entity.
He said: “Our government, Armed Forces, and organisations like the BRO are working diligently for the holistic development of our border areas.” India must continue strengthening the bond between the border regions and the national mainstream, so that the “relationship is not influenced by any external factors,” he added.
Terming the coordination among the Armed Forces, civil administration and people of border areas during Operation Sindoor as incredible, he said, “This coordination, this mutualism is our identity. This is what makes us unique in the world.”
He also lauded the BRO for making great progress in the field of technological innovation, adding that advanced engineering methods are accelerating the completion and delivery of infrastructure.
He said in 2024-25, BRO incurred a record expenditure of Rs 16,690 crore, the highest ever, adding a target of Rs 18,700 crore has been set for FY 2025-26.
Director General Border Roads (DGBR) Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan said the BRO has emerged as the agency of choice for key central ministries, including Home Affairs, External Affairs and Road Transport & Highways for executing critical infrastructure projects.
Strengthening borders
The Shyok tunnel is of key strategic significance as it would provide all-weather connectivity to areas close to the LAC in eastern Ladakh, where India and China were locked in a military standoff between 2020-2024 before both sides decided to disengage from all friction points along the border.
Sources said the tunnel will also likely reduce dependence on air maintenance and resolve logistical challenges in the difficult terrains. (Image: PIB) 
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