Despite China-Pak tensions, India ushering in historical changes

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday that despite challenging times due to Covid19 and border tensions and disputes caused by Pakistan and China India was not only resolutely facing them but also bringing about historical changes in all sectors of development under Prime Minister Narendra Modis able leadershipReiterating the Centres commitment to boost developmental activities in Indias border areas the Minister said that progress in all such projects is regularly monitored and adequate funds provided for timely executionThe Minister on Monday dedicated to the nation via videoconference 44 major permanent bridges built in seven borderstates and Union Territories in western northern and northeastern India and also laid the foundation of important Nechiphu tunnel in Arunachal PradeshSingh also congratulated the Director General and other ranks of the Border Roads Organisation BRO for its achievements and said that the dedication of 44 bridges in one go was itself a recordLauding the BRO for its role in improving the border infrastructure the Minister said that these bridges would further improve the connectivity in farflung areas in the respective sectors and fulfil the aspirations of the area peopleThey will also meet the transport and logistics requirements of the armed forces throughout the year he addedThe Minister pointed out that roads and bridges were the lifeline of any nation and played a vital role in the socioeconomic development of farflung regionsSingh said that the annual budget of the BRO that varied from Rs 3300 crore to Rs 4600 crore in 20082016 had seen a substantial rise and was now pegged at over Rs 11000 crore in 202021There was no reduction in this budget despite Covid19The Minister also announced that the government had sanctioned highaltitude clothing to BRO engineers and workersThe 450metreslong strategically important bilaned Nechiphu Tunnel on the road to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh would ensure allweather connectivity across Nechiphu Pass besides providing a safe and secure passage through accidentprone areasBRO Director General Lt Gen Harpal Singh said that the 44 bridges of various spans ranging from 30 metres to 484 metres are located in Jammu and Kashmir 10 Ladakh 8 Himachal Pradesh 2 Punjab 4 Uttarakhand 8 Arunachal Pradesh 8 and Sikkim 4These bridges are of strategic importance and have been designed to facilitate movement of heavy civil and military traffic in border areasIn line with the vision of the Prime Minister these bridges will contribute towards the overall economic growth of remote border areas and also assist in speedy deployment of the Armed Forces in strategically important sectors the BRO chief saidHe said that the BRO had worked relentlessly even during the ongoing Covid19 pandemic restrictions with its work on projects of strategic importance like the construction of major bridges and roads Atal Tunnel at Rohtang Sela Tunnel and snow clearance at strategic mountain passesIn spite of unprecedented snowfall breaking a 60year record all strategic mountain passes and roads were cleared for traffic about one month before their average yearly opening dates This brought relief to people of border areas and ensured rapid and early movement of troops and logistics Lt Gen Singh saidThe significant dedication ceremony was conducted through a videoconference in the presence of Union Minister Jitendra Singh Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat Chief of Army Staff Gen MM Naravane and Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar in New DelhiUnion Minister Kiren Rijiju Chief Ministers of Arunachal Pradesh Himachal Pradesh Punjab Sikkim and Uttarakhand Lt Governor of JampK with members of Parliament civil and military dignitaries along with members of the public at various sites in different states and union territories also attended the function through a video linkKeep scrolling to read more newsCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates MidDay is now on Telegram Click here to join our channel middayinfomedialtd and stay updated with the latest newsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever