The roads will play an important role in national security & development of NE region
ITANAGAR, Jun 17: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today dedicated to the nation 12 roads, built by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in the northern and eastern border areas of the country on Thursday in presence of Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju and Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat. DoNER Minister Dr Jitendra Singh was among the dignitaries who attended the event virtually.
At an event organised at Kimin along Assam-Arunachal border, the Defence Minister e-inaugurated the 20-km-long double-lane Kimin-Potin road, along with nine other roads in Arunachal Pradesh, and one each in the Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir. The roads have been constructed under ‘Arunank’, ‘Vartak’, ‘Brahmank’, ‘Udayak’, ‘Himank’ and ‘Sampark’ projects of the BRO.
Speaking on the occasion, Rajnath Singh lauded the BRO for its contribution in infrastructure development of remote border areas of the country. He said the roads inaugurated today hold strategic and socio-economic importance as they will play an important role in strengthening national security as well as promoting development of the North-East region. “These roads will be helpful in fulfilling the needs of our Armed Forces and transporting necessities like medicines and ration to remote areas,” he said.
The Defence Minister added that these road projects are part of the ‘Act East’ Policy of the Government wherein special emphasis is being laid on the overall development of the border areas.
He reiterated the resolve of the Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for the development of North-East, describing the region as the gateway to not only the overall development of the country, but also to the nation’s relations with East Asian countries.
Highlighting the unique geographical features of the North-East, he stressed that development of roads in the North-East has not only increased trade but plays a crucial role in defense perspective too.
The Defence Minister, while paying tribute to the soldiers who showed exemplary courage during the Galwan Valley incident last year and made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation, said India is a peace-loving nation but its response to aggression has been resolute.
The roads dedicated to the nation by the Defence Minister today also included 49km stretch of Balipara-Chardwar-Tawang (BCT) road, from KM 50 to 99, constructed by BRO under Project Vartak.
BCT road was initially developed by the BRO as Class 9 road to provide connectivity to West Kameng district and the historically and strategically sensitive city of Tawang in late 60’s.
Post operationalisation of OKSRT (Orang-Kalaktang-Shergaon-Rupa-Tenga) road which provided alternate connectivity to West Kameng and Tawang, work on narrow road stretches of BCT road between KM 50-70 and KM 88-89 commenced in 2016 and the road stretch between KM 70-88 started in 2019. After all the struggle and challenges, the double-lane road project was successfully completed and inaugurated today, BRO said.
Union Minister Rijiju and CM Khandu lauded the BRO for successful completion of the BCT road project of KM 50-99. The Assam CM extended his gratitude to PM Modi and the Defence Minister for their concern towards the North-East and creating the Act East Policy for the development of the region.
In his address, DG Border Roads Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhry gave a brief overview of the achievements of BRO and reiterated the commitment of the Organisation towards infrastructural development of border areas.
Rajnath says India knows
how to give befitting reply to any external aggression
ITANAGAR: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said that India is capable of giving a befitting reply to any external aggression.
“India is the only country which has given the message of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family). We want peace. We have never resorted to aggression with any country. But India knows how to give a befitting reply to any external aggression,” Singh said while dedicating 12 roads, built by BRO, to the nation at a programme organised at Kimin under Papum Pare district of Arunachal Pradesh.
“North East has unique geographical features and it has strategic importance. This region is connected with five countries. Our government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to working for the development of the NE region,” he said. (UNI)