The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) annually celebrates its Raising Day on 7 May to commemorate the establishment of the BRO in 1960. This day serves to honour the dedicated service of BRO personnel and to reaffirm the organisation’s commitment towards the development and maintenance of strategic road and bridge infrastructure in India’s border areas.
- 7th May 2025 marks the 66th Raising Day of BRO.
Significance:
i.The BRO, a statutory body under the Ministry of Defence (MoD) since 2015, plays a pivotal role in enhancing strategic border connectivity by developing and maintaining road infrastructure across 19 Indian states and 3 Union Territories (UTs), including the Andaman & Nicobar(A&N) Islands.
ii.BRO Raising Day is also a platform to showcase and celebrate BRO’s key infrastructure milestones such as roads, bridges, tunnels, and airfields—executed across India and in neighbouring countries, reflecting its vital role in defence preparedness and diplomacy.
Note: In 2021, BRO received a Guinness World Record for constructing the “highest altitude road” at Umling La, UT of Ladakh
Background:
i.BRO was established on 7th May 1960 with the primary objective of securing India’s borders and developing critical infrastructure in the remote and strategic regions of northern and northeastern states of India.
ii.Earlier, on 14th March 1960, the Union Cabinet approved the formation of the Border Roads Development Board (BRDB), with the Prime Minister (PM) of India as its Chairman, to oversee and coordinate road development projects to meet both defence and development needs.
iii.In 1985, the BRDB was re-constituted and placed under the chairmanship of the Defence Minister, aligning it more closely with national security priorities.
Key Infrastructure Projects:
i.Established in 1960 with just two projects, Project Tusker (now Vartak) in the East and Project Beacon in the North
ii.In over 6 decades, it has executed over 62,214 kilometre(km) of roads, constructed 1,005 bridges, built 7 tunnels, and developed 21 airfields across India.
iii.It completed a total of 125 infrastructure projects worth Rs.3,611 crore in the Financial Year 2023-24 (FY24)
iv.The BRO has completed the construction of the Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh(AR). Constructed at an elevation of approximately 13,000 feet, the Sela Tunnel is recognized as the world’s longest twin-lane tunnel at this altitude.
- It is also constructing the 4.10 km-long Shinkun La Tunnel, which will establish an all-weather link between Lahaul Valley in Himachal Pradesh(HP) and Zanskar Valley in the Union Territory of Ladakh. Upon completion, it will become the world’s highest tunnel at an altitude of 15,800 feet, surpassing the Mila Tunnel(15,590 feet) in China.
v.Its operations also extend to friendly neighbouring countries such as Afghanistan, Bhutan, Myanmar, Tajikistan, and Sri Lanka, contributing significantly to regional cooperation and India’s strategic outreach.
About Border Roads Organisation (BRO):
Director General (DG) – Lieutenant General Raghu Srinivasan
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Established – 1960
Motto – Shramena Sarvam Sadhyam (Everything is achievable through hard work)
