Amid border dispute with China and Pakistan, India enhanced border infrastructure to ensure swift movement of troops at the border areas in 2021.
This year, a major thrust area of the ministry of defence in the border areas has been to enhance road and transport infrastructure, aimed at strengthening defence preparedness as well as supporting local economic development in these areas.
On June 28, 2021, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had inaugurated 75 projects of roads and bridges constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in six states and two Union Territories (UTs).
The BRO constructed a road over the Umling La Pass in Eastern Ladakh at 19,024 feet above sea level. It has now officially become the highest motorable road in the world. The road was inaugurated by Rajnath Singh on December 28.
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Singh also dedicated to the nation 24 bridges and three roads, built by BRO in four states and two UTs, on December 28.
Of the 24 bridges, nine are in Jammu and Kashmir, five each in Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, three in Uttarakhand, and one each in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. Of the three roads, two are in Ladakh.
The BRO also organised the 'India@75' motorcycle expedition to commemorate 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' by travelling across the country spreading message of national integration, nation building and road safety.
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Flagged off by Singh on October 14, the expedition was completed on December 27.
