Sappers observe 218th Corps Day

The Corps of Engineers has carved a niche for itself, be it the battlefield, counterinsurgency or aid to civil authorities. The Corps has three branches 8212; Combat Engineers, Military Engineer Services MES and Border Roads Organisation BRO. Two other organisations, The Survey of India and Research and Development Establishment Engineers are also part of this Corps.

Combat Engineers have rendered a yeoman8217;s service to civil authorities during natural calamities and development activities. The restoration of communication along the Hindustan-Tibet road last year after the construction of the longest bailey suspension bridge over the Satluj near Wangtoo is one such example.

MES, which provides rear-line engineering support to the services, is the country8217;s largest construction agency and has an annual work load exceeding Rs 2,000 crore. Its works include construction of airfields, dockyards, laboratories, accommodation, spillways and high rise buildings along with associated works like air conditioning, electric and water supply and cold storage.

The BRO, which is responsible to construct and maintain surface communication lines in border areas, is also engaged in constructing a 162 kilometres of roads in Myanmar.