Border Roads Organisation Completes 102 Infrastructure Projects In FY22, Highest So Far

In 2021-22, 102 infrastructure projects, including 87 bridges and 15 roads, were completed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), the most in a single year.

These projects include the construction of the world's longest highway tunnel, above 10,000 feet, named Atal Tunnel at Rohtang and the world's highest motorable road over Umling La in Eastern Ladakh.

Also, in FY22, for the first time in the history of the BRO, women officers were given the command of Units, with three road construction companies (RCCs) being currently commanded by them. It also created the first-ever All Women RCC in Joshimath, Uttarakhand.

Raised with just two projects in 1960, Project Tusker in the East and Project Beacon in the North, BRO has become a vibrant organisation with 18 projects in various states.

It has constructed over 60,000 kilometres of roads, over 840 bridges, four tunnels and 19 airfields under adverse climatic and geographical conditions along India's borders and in friendly foreign countries.

In Financial Year 2022-23, the capital budget of BRO has been increased by 40 per cent to Rs 3,500 crore.

The Atal Tunnel, built by BRO, recently received the 'Best Infrastructure Project' award from the Indian Building Congress (IBC).

The 9.02 km-long Atal Tunnel is the longest highway tunnel globally and connects Manali to Lahaul-Spiti valley throughout the year. The valley was cut off for about six months each year due to heavy snowfall.

The tunnel reduces the road distance by 46 Km between Manali and Leh and the time by about 4 to 5 hours.