HIMALAYS: Construction of Border Roads


Out of 61 roads being constructed by Border Roads Organisation (BRO), 43 will be completed on scheduled by 2012. Another nine will be completed by 2013. The remaining nine are likely to be completed by 2018. The reasons for delay are adverse climatic conditions, hard rocks being encountered during construction, delay in obtaining forest and wild life clearances, shortage of manpower and inadequate availability of air effort.

Manpower shortage is reported to be one of the reasons for delay in construction of border roads. The present strength of BRO is 35,987 against authorized strength of 42,636. However steps have been taken to be meet the shortage by recruiting manpower. To expedite the recruitment process, mobile recruitment teams have been constituted at Rishikesh, Pathankot, Jodhpur and Tezpur besides the GREF Centre, Pune. For Group ‘A’ Civil Engineering Cadre officers, a case was also taken up with UPSC for direct recruitment on interview basis.

This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Shri SS Ramasubbu in Lok Sabha today.

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Upgradation and development of 73 Sino – Indian border roads is under progress. In addition development of road infrastructure in Northern & Eastern sector is carried out in a holistic and comprehensive manner.

Government has prioritized and is expediting roads and infrastructure development along borders of Northern and Eastern sector for strategic requirements as well as speedy development of this area. It is planned to complete about 18000 kms of road length by 2022.

There are total 93 Forest clearance cases on 61 roads with Border Roads Organisation (out of 73 roads). Government has obtained Forest clearance for 48 cases and in addition Ministry of Environment & Forest (MoEF) has accorded Approval –in-Principle for 21 cases. MoEF and State Forest Departments are being regularly pursued for finalization of balance 24 cases. All these roads are targeted for completion by 2013.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) adheres to all the guidelines of the Ministry of Environment & Forest, e.g adequate amount is paid for compensatory afforestation, alternative alignment is taken to avoid dense forest/wildlife, muck is not dumped in river etc.

This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Shri M Raja Mohan Reddy and others in Lok Sabha today.