Rajnath Singh Unveils Record 125 Border Infrastructure Projects Worth Rs 5,000 Crore, Boosting India’s Frontline Connectivity and Security

India on Sunday (December 7, 2025) marked a major milestone in its border infrastructure push as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh dedicated 125 strategically vital Border Roads Organisation (BRO) projects from Ladakh: the highest number ever inaugurated simultaneously.

Built at a combined cost of about Rs 5,000 crore, these roads, bridges, and tunnels are aimed at dramatically strengthening last-mile connectivity to forward military posts and remote border communities.

Which border states are covered by the infrastructure projects?

The projects–spread across Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, and seven states including Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, and Mizoram–comprise 28 roads, 93 bridges, and four miscellaneous facilities.

What did Rajnath Singh say about the projects?

Rajnath Singh described the unprecedented rollout as a testament to the Modi government’s sustained commitment to fortifying India’s frontiers in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat.

Presiding over the ceremony from the strategic Darbuk–Shyok–Daulat Beg Oldie (DS-DBO) axis, the Defence Minister inaugurated the Shyok Tunnel, one of the day’s marquee projects.

The 920-metre Cut-and-Cover tunnel, built amid some of the world’s harshest terrain, will ensure all-weather access to DBO, a region prone to extreme cold, avalanches, and heavy winter snowfall.

Rajnath Singh said the tunnel would transform mobility, enhance troop deployment speed, and bolster security across a sector that holds immense tactical importance.

In addition, Singh virtually inaugurated the Galwan War Memorial in eastern Ladakh, honouring the bravery and sacrifice of Indian soldiers who defended the nation in the high Himalayas in 2020.

Why are these infrastructure projects a security backbone?

Calling the new constructions “lifelines” for defence, development, and disaster response, the Defence Minister underlined that robust border connectivity is fundamental to national security.

Roads, tunnels, fencing systems, integrated command centres and surveillance networks, he said, are collectively strengthening India’s resilience and readiness.

He emphasised that connectivity is not separate from security but its “backbone,” noting that improved infrastructure directly enhances military mobility, logistics efficiency, tourism, employment, and the faith of border residents in democratic governance.

Rajnath Singh praised the BRO for delivering complex projects through indigenous engineering solutions and for accelerating development in some of India’s toughest terrains.

How did Rajnath Singh link infrastructure to Operation Sindoor’s success?

Rajnath Singh also spotlighted Operation Sindoor, launched after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam. He said the armed forces executed the operation with courage and restraint, aided by strong logistical links now available in border areas.

“We could have done much more, but our forces did only what was necessary,” he said, crediting seamless border connectivity for the operation’s historic success. He also lauded the “incredible coordination” between the military, civil administration, and residents.

How does border infrastructure boost economic growth?

Pointing to India’s 8.2% GDP growth in Q2 of FY 2025–26, Rajnath Singh said border connectivity contributes not just to security but to overall economic advancement.

Despite recent conflicts and ongoing global crises, India’s economy has remained resilient due to policy reforms and inclusive development, he said.

How have BRO’s capabilities expanded?

The Defence Minister hailed the BRO not only for its strategic projects but also for its rapid humanitarian response this year—from rescuing 46 workers during the Mana avalanche in Uttarakhand to evacuating over 1,600 stranded tourists in North Sikkim, and moving nearly 5,000 pilgrims to safety after a cloudburst in J&K’s Chasoti.

He highlighted the BRO’s adoption of indigenous Class-70 modular bridges developed with Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), calling them a milestone in India’s engineering self-reliance.

These modular systems, now deployed in several forward areas, demonstrate how homegrown innovation is accelerating infrastructure delivery under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Why is BRO’s spending growing?

Singh noted that the BRO achieved a record expenditure of Rs 16,690 crore in FY 2024–25, with an ambitious Rs 18,700-crore target set for FY 2025–26, reflecting the government’s confidence in its expanded role.

India’s broader defence production push has also gained momentum, he said, with output rising from Rs 46,000 crore in 2014 to Rs 1.51 lakh crore, and exports surging from under Rs 1,000 crore to nearly Rs 24,000 crore over the past decade.

What did the BRO chief say about government support?

BRO chief Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan thanked the Defence Minister for his guidance and the government for its enhanced support. He said the BRO has become the agency of choice for ministries handling crucial border and strategic projects due to its ability to operate in the country’s toughest environments: high altitudes, deserts, flood-prone areas, and dense forests.

The event was attended by governors, chief ministers, senior military commanders, union ministers, and BRO personnel, reflecting the scale and significance of the occasion.

Over the last two years, the government has dedicated 356 BRO projects to the nation, an unprecedented pace in India’s strategic infrastructure expansion. Recognising the BRO’s critical role, the Union Budget 2025–26 increased its allocation from Rs 6,500 crore to Rs 7,146 crore.

BRO projects remain central to India’s long-term goal of strengthening frontline readiness, improving civilian livelihoods, and integrating border populations more closely with the national mainstream.