Reported by Maksam Tayeng
Pasighat: Along with Border Roads Organisation (BRO) units across the country’s border areas, Project Brahmank of the BRO celebrated its 67th Raising Day at its headquarters at Raneghat in Pasighat, East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday.
The event was held with officials and personnel in attendance, marking the organisation’s continued focus on strategic infrastructure development in border regions.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Engineer of Project Brahmank S C Looniya said the BRO was raised on May 7, 1960, with the primary objective of securing India’s borders and developing strategic infrastructure in remote and difficult terrains to strengthen defence preparedness, border connectivity and national security.
He said the organisation has, since its inception, established its footprint across 19 states and three Union Territories, and has also extended its strategic reach beyond India by executing critical infrastructure projects in countries including Afghanistan, Bhutan, Myanmar, Tajikistan and Sri Lanka. He added that BRO has also worked in regions previously affected by Left-Wing Extremism.
Looniya said the organisation continues to remain committed to national service and has left a “permanent imprint on the hearts and minds of people” in its areas of operation.
Project Brahmank, a formation of BRO, is responsible for the construction, upgradation and maintenance of strategically important road infrastructure in Arunachal Pradesh and adjoining regions. The project manages over 811 km of road network across Siang, East Siang, West Siang, Upper Siang and Shi-Yomi districts, including areas sharing international borders with China.
The programme highlighted the theme “BRO Creates, Connects and Cares” and showcased the organisation’s role in building roads, bridges and improving connectivity in remote and border areas.
During the past year, the project reported formation cutting equivalent to 122 Cl-9 works, surfacing of 205 Cl-9 equivalent stretches, construction of 590 metres of bridges and 61 km of blacktopping. It also completed 13 bridges in Upper Siang and Shi-Yomi districts, which were inaugurated by the Raksha Mantri and have improved mobility for both civilian and defence movement.
The project has also undertaken upgradation of key road axes in the Siang and Shi-Yomi valleys from Cl-9 to NHDL specifications, along with ongoing works to improve long-term infrastructure and regional connectivity.
Additionally, BRO has taken up construction and extension of helipads in forward areas to enhance air connectivity, and conducted medical and dental camps in remote locations including Tuting, Menchuka, Along, Yingkiong and Likabali, benefiting local residents and casual paid labourers.
Other initiatives include tree plantation drives, outreach programmes with universities, Har Ghar Tiranga campaigns, Swachhata Abhiyan activities, riverbank cleanliness drives along the Siang, environmental awareness campaigns and welfare support for workers.
The project is also gearing up for the completion of 10 bridges and 11 road sectors in the current financial year.
In recognition of his service, Chief Engineer S C Looniya was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal earlier this year.