India boosts infrastructure along LAC with China

Srinagar: In order to bolster India’s defence preparedness along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday dedicated 75 infrastructure projects built by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) at a function in Ladakh.

The projects — 45 bridges, 27 roads, two helipads and a Carbon Neutral Habitat — are spread across six states and two Union Territories. Twenty of these are in Jammu and Kashmir, 18 each in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, five in Uttarakhand and 14 in Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan.

“These strategically important projects have been constructed at a total cost of Rs 2,180 crore by the BRO in a record time, many of which have been completed in a single working season using state-of-the-art technology,” an official spokesman said.

The highlight of the event was the onsite inauguration of a 120-metre long Class 70 Shyok Setu on D-S-DBO Road at an altitude 14,000 feet. The bridge will be of strategic importance as it will facilitate logistics movement of the armed forces.

Other projects inaugurated virtually by the Minister include two helipads, one each in Hanle and Thakung in Eastern Ladakh. The helipads will enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force.

The BRO’s first Carbon Neutral Habitat at a height of 19,000 feet for its personnel was inaugurated at Hanle. It is BRO’s effort towards contributing to Ladakh’s resolve of becoming the country’s first Carbon Neutral Union Territory.

The key features of this complex include accommodation of 57 personnel and thermal comfort during extreme weather. It will enable BRO to operate efficiently during maximum part of winters.