Most of the 44 bridges are in strategically important areas, officials said.
New Delhi:
No less than 44 bridges built in the border areas of Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir were inaugurated on Monday by the Minister of Rajnath Singh Defense.
Inaugurating the Bridges at an online event, the Defense Minister, in his brief speech, touched on the situation along India’s borders with Pakistan and China.
“You are well aware of the situation created along our northern and eastern borders. First Pakistan, and now also by China, as if a border dispute was created within the framework of a mission. We have a border. of about 7,000 km with these countries, where the tension remains, ”he said.
The Defense Minister said that under the “visionary” leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is not only facing these crises strongly, but also bringing about major and historic changes in all fields.
Most of the 44 bridges, including seven in Ladakh, are in strategically important areas and they will help the armed forces ensure rapid movement of troops and weapons, officials said.
The Minister of Defense also symbolically laid the foundation stone for the Nechiphu tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh during the virtual event.
44 bridges built by BRO across 7 states / UT (J & K-10 Ladakh-8 HP-2 Punjab-4 Uttarakhand-8 Arunachal-8 Sikkim-4) will be dedicated to the Nation by Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh shortly. pic.twitter.com/zZZW3aTIsR
– रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय / RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) October 12, 2020
The inauguration of the bridges built by the Border Roads Organization comes at a time when India is at an impasse with China in eastern Ladakh.
Mr. Singh sad that the construction of the bridges will benefit both the civilian population and the military in the regions.
“Our armed forces personnel are deployed in large numbers to areas where transport is not available throughout the year,” he said, noting that improving border infrastructure will greatly help the forces. armies.
“These roads are not only intended for strategic needs, but they also reflect the equal participation of all stakeholders in the development of the nation,” Singh said.
The defense minister also praised the Border Roads Organization (BRO) for its tireless work, even during the lockdown triggered by the coronavirus.
“The BRO continued its operations in the North Eastern States, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. BRO continued its work while ensuring that that snow removal is not delayed in remote areas, ”he said.
“I am happy to know that over 2,200 kilometers of roads have been cut by the BRO over the past two years, using the latest technology and advanced equipment. In addition, the surfacing was carried out on approximately 4,200 km of roads, ”he added.
Amid the border deadlock with China, India is speeding up work on several key projects, including a strategic road from Darcha in Himachal Pradesh to Ladakh that will crisscross a number of high-altitude snow-capped passes.
The nearly 290 km long road will be crucial for the movement of troops and heavy weapons at border bases in the Ladakh region and will be a crucial link with the Kargil region.
