The Border Roads Organisation was conceived and raised in March 1960 by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the great visionary and the first Prime Minister of India. This was done with the aim of coordinating the speedy development of a network of roads in the North and the North-Eastern Border regions of the country .
The team, a fine blend of officers from Indian Army and General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF), is headed by a Lt Gen from the Indian Army.
During the last 52 years this organisation has served the country, braving inhospitable and rugged terrain, adverse climate, inclement environmental conditions and insurgency.
Till date, BRO has constructed approximately 50500 Km of roads, 430 major permanent bridges of 42,000 m length and 19 airfields in difficult and remote areas of the country where no other construction agency dared to venture.
At present BRO is working on numerous roads, which include new construction, as well as improvement from single lane to double lane. BRO is maintaining approximately 22,500 Km of roads. In addition, theOrganisation carries out snow clearance on 95 roads (3,000 Km) every year to ensure connectivity of border regions to the rest of the country.
Honours & Awards
In recognition of the distinguished and meritorious services and acts of gallantry displayed by officers and men, BRO has been bestowed with the following during Independence Day 2012, Army Day and Republic Day 2013.
(a) BAR TO VSM - 01 No
(b) Shaurya Chakra - 01 No
(d) COAS Commendation Card - 10 Nos
(e) VCOAS Commendation Card - 16 Nos
(f) Govt CC Card - 05 Nos
In addition to the vast network of roads being developed and maintained, some major achievements highlighting the technical prowess and professionalism of BRO are:
Rohtang Tunnel
The tunnel will provide an unhindered road access to the remote regions of Lahaul-Spiti and Pangi Valley throughout the year besides reducing the road distance by nearly 48Kms, a travel time of about four hours. The progress is 3298 Mtrs upto Feb 2013 amidst geological surprises.
Digaru Bridge
The Raksha Rajya Mantri and Chairman, Border Roads Development Board Dr MM Pallam Raju inaugurated the 720 m, longest departmentally constructed Digaru Bridge by Project Udayak of BRO on 09 Apr 2012 in Lohit District in presence of Lt Gen S Ravi Shankar, PVSM, VSM, EX DGBR, and other civil and military dignitaries. The inauguration of Digaru Bridge (720 meter) established connectivity between Lohit and Dibang valley with Arunachal Pradesh which fulfilled the long pending demand of local population as well as Army authorities.
Simen Bridge
The Raksha Rajya Mantri and Chairman, Border Roads Development Board Dr MM Pallam Raju inaugurated a 480 m length bridge built across river Simen on Akajan-Jonai-Pasighat road (NH 52) in Arunachal Pradesh on 04 Jul 2012 in presence of DGBR and various Civil and Military officials. The opening of bridge, of National Highway Double Lane specifications, will usher in a new era of development for the civil population, Army and Paramilitary Forces and a host of other agencies working for infrastructure development of the region.
Basohli Bridge
The foundation stone of the bridge was laid by the Chairperson of National Advisory Council, Mrs Sonia Gandhi. The progress on the bridge is as per schedule.
Z-Morh Tunnel
The foundation stone of Z-Morh Tunnel was laid by Dr. CP Joshi, Union Minister of Road, Transport & Highways and Shri Rahul Gandhi, Member of Parliament, at Sonamarg(J&K) on 04 Oct 2012. Srinagar-Kargil-Leh Highway is an important road link between Kashmir valley and Ladakh region. It was felt essential to construct a tunnel at Z-Morh to open the Sonamarg Valley and Zojila for further providing all weather connectivity from Srinagar to Leh. Construction of the Z-Morh tunnel is now being taken up which would make Sonamarg an all weather tourist destination thereby giving a boost to the economy of the region.
