Focus: GS-III Industry and Infrastructure
Why in news?
The Defence Minister dedicated six major bridges, in sensitive border areas close to the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, to the nation through video conferencing,
Details
- Two bridges on the Tarnah Nallah in Kathua District and four bridges located on Akhnoor-Pallanwala road in Akhnoor/Jammu district were constructed.
- These bridges constructed by Project Sampark of the BRO will facilitate movement of Armed Forces in this strategically important sector and will also contribute towards the overall economic growth of remote border areas.
- These bridges of strategic importance were completed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in a record time.
- BRO has executed about 30 per cent more works in the financial year (FY) 2019-20 as compared to FY 2018-19.
Border Roads Organisation (BRO)
- The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) develops and maintains road networks in India’s border areas and friendly neighbouring countries.
- BRO is under the control of the Ministry of Defence since 2015.
- BRO is engaged in road construction to provide connectivity to difficult and inaccessible regions in the border areas of the country.
- The BRO operates in 18 Projects namely: Arunank, Beacon, Brahmank, Chetak, Deepak, Dantak, Himank, Hirak, Pushpak, Sampark, Setuk, Sewak, Shivalik, Swastik, Udayak, Vartak, Vijayak and sela tunnel.
- BRO has played a very important role in both maintenance of security and in the development of border areas.
- Socio economic development in the most inaccessible nooks and corners of our country are a result of the infrastructural work undertaken by the BRO.
- BRO works in close association with the Indian Army in cases of natural disasters.
- BRO also undertakes work in neighbouring countries such as Afghanistan, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. Hence, it helps greatly in maintenance of friendly and diplomatic relations.
- Officers from the Border Roads Engineering Service (BRES) and personnel from the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) form the parent cadre of the Border Roads Organisation. It is also staffed by officers and troops drawn from the Indian Army’s Corps of Engineers on extra regimental employment (on Deputation).
