Over 60 per cent border roads constructed in last 3 years were in states bordering China

Roads along Pakistan borders were also constructed in the last three years. For instance, the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir also saw construction of 443.94 km of roads while 311.14 km of border roads were built in Rajasthan.

Overall, 2445.54 km of roads were constructed by BRO in the last three years, official data said.

The development is significant amid a push in construction of border infrastructure since 2020 when India and China were involved in a military standoff along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh. Not just roads, several bridges, habitat for troops, tunnels and helipads are also being constructed along border areas that would not only facilitate faster troop movement to borders but also help the population residing there.

The data also showed that BRO had spent Rs 846.46 crore of the sanctioned Rs 923 crore in 2022-23 for maintaining border roads—up from Rs 744.52 crore in the previous fiscal year.

In the written reply, Bhatt further said that BRO has been provided increased availability of air effort, while administrative and financial powers of various BRO executives have been increased. There has also been procurement of modern equipment and construction plants by BRO for road construction.

The organisation constructs roads in border areas as per priorities fixed by the Armed Forces, Bhatt said in the written reply.