Border Roads Organisation#Border infrastructure development

The BRO was formed on 7 May 1960 to secure India's borders and develop infrastructure in remote areas of the north and north-east states of the country.{{Cite web |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/bro.htm |title=Border Roads Organisation |work=GlobalSecurity.org |location=Alexandria, Virginia |access-date=25 September 2010}} In order to ensure coordination and expeditious execution of projects, the Government of India set up the Border Roads Development Board (BRDB) with the prime minister as chairman of the board and with the defence minister as deputy chairman.

Today, the BRDB exercises the financial and other powers of a Department of Government of India and is chaired by the Minister of State for Defence. Among others, Chief(s) of Army and Air Staff, Engineer-in-chief, Director General Border Roads (DGBR), FA(DS) are members of the BRDB. The secretary of the board exercises the powers of Joint Secretary to the Government of India. The executive head of the BRO is the Director General Border Roads (DGBR), who holds the rank of lieutenant general.{{cite web |url=http://www.bro.nic.in/indexab.asp?projectid=9&lang=1 |title=DG's Message |website=Border Roads Organisation |access-date=20 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526153223/http://www.bro.nic.in/indexab.asp?projectid=9&lang=1 |archive-date=26 May 2011}} In a bid to boost border connectivity, BRO has been entirely brought under the Ministry of Defence in 2015. Earlier it received funds from the Ministry of Surface Transport under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.{{cite news |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/bro-to-be-brought-exclusively-under-defence-ministry-parrikar-114123100484_1.html |title=Border Roads Organisation to be brought exclusively under Defence Ministry: Parrikar |work=Business Standard |date=31 December 2014 |access-date=31 December 2014 |agency=Press Trust of India

}}{{Cite news |last=Kulkarni |first=Pranav |date=1 January 2015 |title=BRO to come under sole control of Defence Ministry |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/bro-to-come-under-sole-control-of-defence-ministry/ |access-date=12 February 2021 |work=The Indian Express}}

The BRO consists of Border Roads Wing under the Ministry of Defense and the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF). Officers are selected through the IES Examination conducted by the UPSC. Officers are also deputed from Indian Army Corps of Engineers, who are posted to GREF on ERE. The GREF includes civil engineers, mechanical engineers, administrative officers and medical officers.

The Border Roads Engineering Service (BRES) officers are governed by Central Civil Services (CCS/ CCA) Rules, 1965. They also subjected to all provisions of the Army Act, 1950 and Army Rules, 1954 except a few exceptions as given in SRO 329 and SRO 330 both 23 September 1960. GREF is an integral part of the Armed Forces within meaning of Article 33{{Cite web |date= |title=Article 33 in The Constitution Of India 1949 |url=https://indiankanoon.org/doc/829916/ |access-date= |website=Indian Kanoon}} of the Constitution of India and members of GREF are also members of the Armed Forces as declared by the Supreme Court in respect of R. Viswan vs Union of India 1983 and authorized for all benefits which are applicable to Armed Forces of India.

The organisation's operations are spread across India, Bhutan, Myanmar, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan.

The BRO includes 18 projects, which are divided into Task Forces, Road Construction Companies (RCCs), Bridge Construction Companies (BCCs), Drain Maintenance Companies (DMCs), and Platoons. The organisation also includes base workshops, store divisions, training and recruitment centers, and other staff.{{Cite web |title=Organisation Chart |url=http://www.bro.nic.in/index2.asp?sublinkid=733 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100727202521/http://bro.nic.in/index2.asp?sublinkid=733 |archive-date=27 July 2010 |access-date=25 September 2010 |website=Border Roads Organisation}}

An Internal Financial Advisor (IFA) supports the BRO, performing the roles of Chief Accounts Officer and Internal Auditor. This system was introduced on 23 March 1995 to introduce efficiency and improve resource utilisation.{{cite web |last=Mohan |first=Devendra |title=IFA System in Lower Formations of Border Roads Organisation |url=http://nidfm.nic.in/learning/OTHERTM/TMRC/CDABR/b-accounts/ifa-l.doc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619093421/http://www.nidfm.nic.in/learning/OTHERTM/TMRC/CDABR/b-accounts/ifa-l.doc |location=Pune, India |publisher=National Academy of Defence Financial Management, Ministry of Defence, Government of India |format=Microsoft Word |access-date=25 September 2010 |archive-date=19 June 2009 |url-status=dead}} The IFA secured ISO 9001 certification in December 1999.

The organisation employs laborers locally. No local labourer is deployed in BRO for more than 179 days at a stretch, thus keeping the nature of their employment casual.{{Cite news |last=Panghat |first=Brig |date=4 February 2005 |title=GREF not Industry governed by Industrial Dispute Act |newspaper=Daily Excelsior |location=Jammu, India |url=http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/02feb05/state.htm#5 |access-date=25 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060503044135/http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/02feb05/state.htm#5 |archive-date=3 May 2006}}

File:BRO ORGANISATIOPN.jpg

A list of the Director General of Border Road (DGBR):{{Cite web |title=Ex DGs-Border Roads Organisation |url=http://www.bro.gov.in/index2.asp?lang=1&sublinkid=71&slid=968&projectid=9 |access-date=3 October 2020 |website=Border Roads Organisation}}

In June 2021, the "Centre of Excellence for Road Safety & Awareness" and "Centre of Excellence for Roads, Bridges, Air Fields and Tunnels" were set up.{{Cite news |last=Siddiqui |first=Huma |date=11 June 2021 |title=Rajnath Singh inaugurates BRO's two Centres for Excellence |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/rajnath-singh-inaugurates-bros-two-centres-for-excellence/2269702/ |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=The Financial Express}}

File:Jimmy Buffett Himank BRO sign in Nubra Valley, Ladakh, Northern India.jpg

Roles of the BRO include:

During Peace

1. To develop and maintain the operational road infrastructure of General Staff (GS) roads in the border areas.
2. To contribute to the socio-economic development of the border states.

During War

1. To develop and maintain roads to keep line of control through in original sectors and re-deployed sectors.
2. To execute additional tasks as laid down by the government contributing to the war effort.

BRO is entrusted for construction of roads, bridges, tunnels, causeways, helipads and airfields. The BRO is also in charge of maintenance of its road networks. In many places landslides, avalanches and snow block the routes and have to be cleared as quickly as possible. BRO also employs more than 200,000 casual paid labours in the task.

BRO had completed following 257 border roads of 13,525-km number in last 5 years during 2017–22:[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bro-finished-43-roads-in-ladakh-64-in-arunachal-in-last-5-years/articleshow/96291460.cms BRO finished 43 roads in Ladakh, 64 in Arunachal in last 5 years], Times of India, 17 December 2022.

• Arunachal Pradesh: 64 (3,097-km).
• Ladakh: 43 (3,141-km).
• J&K: 61 (2,382-km).
• Himachal Pradesh: (739-km).
• Uttarakhand: 22 (947-km).
• Sikkim: 18 (664-km).
• Rajasthan: 13 (884-km).
• Mizoram: 8 (590-km)
• Manipur: 8 (492-km).

The BRO undertakes projects in India and friendly countries. These projects typically include developing roads, bridges, and airfields in hostile environments shunned by private enterprises, whether due to security concerns related to hostilities, or because of environmental challenges. BRO has been active during the 1962 war, the conflicts with Pakistan in 1965 and 1971, and has also been active in anti-insurgency operations in the northeast.

The BRO operates in 18 projects namely: Arunank, Beacon, Brahmank, Chetak, Deepak, Dantak{{Cite web |last=Wangchuk |first=Rinchen Norbu |date=5 December 2018 |title=Jalebi, Dosa & Samosa: How 'Dantak' Is Strengthening India's Friendship with Bhutan |url=https://www.thebetterindia.com/166014/india-bhutan-bro-dantak-canteen-diplomacy-news/ |access-date=12 February 2021 |website=The Better India}} (Bhutan), Himank, Hirak, Pushpak, Sampark, Yojak, Sewak, Shivalik, Swastik, Udayak, Vartak and Vijayak.Standing Committee on Defence (February 2019) [http://164.100.47.193/lsscommittee/Defence/16_Defence_50.pdf Fiftieth Report: Provision of all weather road connectivity under Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and other agencies up to International borders as well as the strategic areas including approach roads- An appraisal.] Ministry of Defence, Lok Sabha Secretariat, Government of India. [https://archive.today/20200619062007/http://164.100.47.193/lsscommittee/Defence/16_Defence_50.pdf Archived] from the original on 19 June 2020.{{Cite news |date=14 January 2022 |title=BRO launches Project Yojak to boost road infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/shimla/bro-launches-project-yojak-to-boost-road-infrastructure-in-himachal-pradesh/articleshow/88890450.cms |access-date=3 November 2023 |issn=0971-8257}}

The BRO also played a vital role in reconstruction work in the aftermath of the devastating 2004 tsunami in Tamil Nadu, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake,{{Cite journal |title=Work in progress to restore vital border road |journal=Outlook India |date=24 October 2005 |location=New Delhi |url=http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?330760 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130233529/http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?330760 |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 January 2013 |access-date=25 September 2010}}

and the 2010 Ladakh flash floods.{{Cite news |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100916/main5.htm |newspaper=The Tribune |title=Five weeks after floods, Leh-Manali road opens |last=Watts |first=Archit |date=15 September 2010 |location=Chandigarh, India |access-date=25 September 2010}}

Some of these projects carry out some of the development initiatives of the Indian government in foreign territories like Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Bhutan. These include the Delaram-Zaranj Highway in Afghanistan, completed and handed over to the Afghan government during 2008,{{Cite news |title=India hands over Afghan road, trade can now flow via Iran |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/india-hands-over-afghan-road-trade-can-now-flow-via-iran/414315/ |newspaper=The Indian Express |last=Pubby |first=Manu |date=23 January 2009 |location=New Delhi |access-date=25 September 2010}} and the restoration of the Farkhor{{Cite web |title=India to deploy MiG-29 fighters at Tajikistan base |url=http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/intelandterror/article_1156924.php/India_to_deploy_MiG-29_fighters_at_Tajikistan_base |work=Monsters and Critics |publisher=WOTR |location=Indianapolis |date=20 April 2006 |access-date=25 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080930211704/http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/intelandterror/article_1156924.php/India_to_deploy_MiG-29_fighters_at_Tajikistan_base |archive-date=30 September 2008}} and Ayni{{Cite web |title=India may have to quit Tajik military 'base' |last=Bedi |first=Rahul |work=Monsters and Critics |url=http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/india/features/article_1357885.php/India_may_have_to_quit_Tajik_military_base |date=20 September 2007 |access-date=25 September 2010 |publisher=WOTR |location=Indianapolis |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923192737/http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/india/features/article_1357885.php/India_may_have_to_quit_Tajik_military_base |archive-date=23 September 2011}} air bases in Tajikistan.

{{see also | Ministry for Development of North Eastern Region#Projects | India–Myanmar_barrier#Look-East_Connectivity | label 1 = Northeast India connectivity projects | label 2 = Look East connectivity}}

In response to the ever-present security threat from Pakistan and increased incursions and rapid border infrastructure from China, India too is undertaking border infrastructure development.

{{main | India-China Border Roads}}

As per a July 2017 update to Lok Sabha from the Government of India, construction of 73 completed strategic roads along the Sino-India border was approved in 2005 with initial and currently revised deadlines of 2012–2013 and 2019–2020 respectively, including 43 by the Ministry of Defence and 27 by the Ministry of Home Affairs, of which only 21 roads by March 2017 and 30 roads by July 2017 have been completed and the remaining are under construction as progress was slowed down due to wildlife conservation and environmental approval, insurgency related security hurdles, delay in land acquisition by the states, inaccessible terrain, inclement weather, and other impediments.

BRO is constructing 63 out of these 73 roads as it costs BRO {{INRConvert|15|m|currency_formatting=c|lk=on|to=USD EUR|year=2017}} to {{INRConvert|30|m|currency_formatting=c|lk=on|to=USD EUR|year=2017}} per km compared to {{INRConvert|60|m|currency_formatting=c|lk=on|to=USD EUR|year=2017}} to

{{INRConvert|70|m|currency_formatting=c|lk=on|to=USD EUR|year=2017}} per km of road construction by the private companies.{{cite news |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/59647920.cms |title=73 roads of operational significance being built along China border: Kiren Rijiju |work=The Economic Times |date=18 July 2017}}{{cite news |first=Sushant |last=Singh |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/china-border-roads-hobbling-12-years-later-21-of-73-ready-modi-xi-jinping-4698272/ |title=China border roads hobbling, 12 years later, 21 of 73 ready |work=Indian Express |date=11 July 2017}} In two years alone, 2015–16 and 2016–17, prime minister Narendra Modi's government has allocated more than US$4.7 billion in contracts for the development of border roads, which also includes the US$256 million {{convert|1360|km}} India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway from Moreh in Manipur through Tamu, Myanmar to Mae Sot in Thailand.{{cite news |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/chinas-silk-road-lends-urgency-to-indias-regional-ambitions/articleshow/59981753.cms |title=China's Silk Road lends urgency to India's regional ambitions |work=The Economic Times |date=9 August 2017}}

In July 2020, BRO was also tasked with building new roads to connect eastern Bhutan to western Tawang area such as Lumla-Trashigang road through Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary.{{cite news |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-proposes-to-build-road-via-bhutans-wildlife-park/articleshow/76950740.cms |title=India proposes to build road in Bhutan's 'Yeti territory' which China claimed recently |work=The Economic Times |date=15 July 2020}}

To provide multiple points of alternative connectivity to the forces, BRO is building 410 2-lane class-70 (heavy load bearing including tanks) road bridges along the {{cvt|3,440|km|adj=on}} long McMahon Line border with China, including 144 in Arunachal Pradesh (75 already under construction and will be completed by 2020), 100 under construction in Jammu and Kashmir, 55 under construction in Uttrakhand, 40 under construction in Sikkim and 25 under construction in Himachal Pradesh (c. Dec 2017).[http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/62110250.cms India building bridges in Arunachal for LAC access], The Economic Times, 18 December 2017. The annual pace of construction is {{cvt|3|km}} of bridges (c. Dec 2017). On 12 October 2020 Defense Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated 44 new bridges.{{Cite web|last=Gupta|first=Shishir|date=12 October 2020|title=54 done, BRO rushes to build 48 bridges that can shoulder T-90 main battle tanks|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/army-s-bro-building-100-bridges-by-march-most-of-them-near-china-border/story-56XIHQA8yE05IHLDEptZqM.html|access-date=13 June 2021|website=Hindustan Times}}

{{main | India-China_Border_Roads#Border_tunnel_projects | l1= List of geostrategic tunnels of India}}

In November 2017 BRO announced the plan to construct 17 road and rail tunnels, with a total length of {{cvt|100|km}}, on some of the 73 strategic roads on Sino-Indian border to provide the year-round all-weather rail and road surface connectivity. Currently, surface access to high altitude posts on Sino-India border is closed for six months every year due to snowfall and rain, and supplies are through air lift only. Some of these 17 tunnels are already under construction, including Srinagar-Kargil-Leh NH1 in J&K (Zoji La pass tunnel), Leh-Manali Highway in J&K and Himachal Pradesh (Lungalacha La, Bara-lacha la, Tanglang La, Shingo La near Nimo and Rohtang Tunnel), 578 meter Theng Pass tunnel on NH310A between Chungthang and Tung in North Sikkim, Nechipu Pass (near Bomdila) and Sela Pass tunnels on Bogibeel Assam to Sagalee to Tawang NH13 in Arunachal Pradesh. This will reduce the travel time and operational costs, eliminate the risk of avalanche and landslide.[https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/61522629.cms "For year-round border security, India plans tunnels on China border."], The Economic Times, 6 November 2017.[http://www.voyants.in/2015/01/16/voyants-bagged-independent-engineer-services-in-arunachal-pradesh/ "Voyants bagged Independent Engineer Services in Arunachal Pradesh"]

Awards attained by BRO personnel between 1960 and 31 January 2020:[http://bro.gov.in/WriteReadData/linkimages/2644163806-2.pdf BRO Scroll of Honour and Awards: 1960 to 31 January 2020.] [https://web.archive.org/web/20210212052147/http://bro.gov.in/WriteReadData/linkimages/2644163806-2.pdf Archived] on 12 February 2021.

• 23 × Kirti Chakra
• 218 × Shaurya Chakra
• 2 × Bar to Shaurya Chakra
• 2 × Padam Shree
• 16 × Param Vishisht Seva Medals
• 43 × Ati Vishist Seva Medals
• 110 × Vishisht Seva Medals
• 25 × Sena Medals
• 3 × Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak
• 17 × Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak
• 69 × Jeevan Raksha Padak

File:A.P.J. Abdul Kalam presenting the Shaurya Chakra Award to Mrs. Raji Genesan EX-GS-173840X Supdt. Building and Roads Grade-II, Genesan M, Border Roads Organisation (Posthumous), at Defence Investiture Ceremony.jpg, presenting the Shaurya Chakra Award to Mrs. Raji Genesan EX-GS-173840X, [https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/category/bro?page=11 Genesan M], BRO (Posthumous) 2007]]

In 2009, eight Shaurya Chakras, all posthumous, were awarded to BRO personnel for their actions in places such as Afghanistan, Sikkim, the north-east and Jammu and Kashmir.{{Cite news |title=Eight Shaurya Chakras for BRO |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/eight-shaurya-chakras-for-bro/439218/|access-date=1 September 2020 |work=The Indian Express}} Bulldozer operator Zalim Singh, Bar to the Shaurya Chakra, was crushed by boulders while clearing a strategic road for Indian Army tanks. Two BRO men working on BRO's Project Zaranj in Afghanistan were killed during a suicide bomb attack on Zaranj-Delaram highway. Engineer Santosh Kumar Singh and driver Jaikrit Singh Rawat, while working on the Kishtwar-Sinthan Pass, died in an ambush. Others died or were killed in places such as Meghalaya, Kailash Mansarovar, Kali River and Hapoli Sarli-Huri road.{{Cite web |date=25 March 2009 |title=BRO bags 8 Shaurya Chakras |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/latest-headlines/story/bro-bags-8-shaurya-chakras-42658-2009-03-25 |access-date=1 September 2020 |website=India Today}}

In November 2021, BRO received a Guinness World Record for the "highest altitude road" following construction at Umling La.{{Cite news |date=21 November 2021 |title=Indian Army's BRO sets Guinness World Record for world's highest motorable road |url=https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/news/indian-army-s-bro-sets-guinness-world-record-for-world-s-highest-motorable-road-41637476970016.html |url-status=live |access-date=7 December 2024 |work=Hindustan Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121082725/https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/news/indian-army-s-bro-sets-guinness-world-record-for-world-s-highest-motorable-road-41637476970016.html |archive-date=21 November 2021}}{{Cite web |title=Highest altitude road |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/62927-highest-road |access-date=8 January 2022 |website=Guinness World Records}} In June 2021, with the assistance of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Kanchan Ugursandi made a solo motorcycle expedition to Umling La.{{Cite web |last=Roy |first=Dyuti |date=24 January 2022 |title=Kanchan Ugursandi: Woman motorcyclist from Jharkhand hits road with a cause |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/good-news/2022/Jan/24/kanchan-ugursandi-woman-motorcyclist-from-jharkhand-hits-road-with-a-cause-2410607.html |access-date=1 December 2024 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}{{Clear}}

File:The Minister of State for Defence, Shri Jitendra Singh in a group photographs during the Chief Engineers Conference, organised by the Border Roads Organisation, in New Delhi on September 24, 2013.jpg|The Minister of State for Defence in a group photograph during the Chief Engineers Conference, organised by the BRO, 2013

File:The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman releasing a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) Coffee table book ‘Will of Steel’, in New Delhi.jpg|Union Minister for Defence releasing a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) Coffee table book 'Will of Steel', in New Delhi. NSA also present.

File:The Director General, Border Roads, Lt Gen Arun Kumar Nanda addressing an Annual Press Conference on the eve of 48th Raising Day of the Border Roads Organisation, in New Delhi on May 06, 2008.jpg|Director General, Border Roads, Lt Gen Arun Kumar Nanda addressing an Annual Press Conference on the eve of 48th Raising Day of the BRO, 2008

File:BRO messages in Ladakh.jpg|BRO road signs

File:Stamp of India - 1985 - Colnect 167197 - Border Roads Organisation.jpeg|1985 postal stamp

• Indian Army Corps of Engineers
• Trans-Arunachal Highway
• Mago-Thingbu to Vijaynagar Border Road
• Chota Char Dham Railway

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Official website|http://www.bro.gov.in/}}

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Category:Border Roads Organisation