In the heart of the Himalayas, where the sun can be unforgiving and the snowstorms blinding, where the altitude can leave you breathless and the bitter cold can freeze you to the bone, an unseen power is at work.

Against these formidable odds, tirelessly, a force navigates treacherous terrains, forges through deep valleys, scales high mountains, and relentlessly pushes boundaries. Their battlefield is the rocky landscape, their enemy the extreme weather, and their weapon of choice, sheer determination and unmatched skill.

Their mission? Battling against the sands of time in Rajasthan along the India-Pakistan border, weathering the freezing climes of the Zoji La Pass in Jammu and Kashmir, and tunneling through the mountains to give birth to the Atal Tunnel, they relentlessly push the boundaries of human achievement.

To carve out lifelines in the form of roads and bridges, connecting the remotest corners of India, making the inaccessible accessible.

All through the biting cold winters, the scorching summers, the unpredictable monsoons, they work, tirelessly and with unwavering resolve. Even in the face of adversity, their spirits remain unbroken, their resolve ironclad. For them, every pebble moved, every boulder blasted, every mile covered, is a victory over nature's harshest challenges, a testament to their indomitable spirit.

This power isn't tamed by the vastness of our borders, extending its reach to the India-China border. Amid the high-altitude cold deserts of Ladakh to the lush greenery of Arunachal Pradesh, it etches roads like the Umling La Pass, the world's highest motorable road, and the Kailash-Mansarovar road, a spiritual lifeline for countless pilgrims.

Their tenacity echoes along the lush landscapes of the India-Nepal border and the verdant hills straddling the India-Bhutan border, constructing roads that weave a stronger bond with our friendly neighbors. It echoes again across the diverse states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram that cradle the India-Myanmar border, constructing lifelines that transcend geopolitical lines.

The echo reaches the vibrant states of West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram, kissing the India-Bangladesh border. Here, too, they build roads that not just improve connectivity but also embody the spirit of brotherhood that India shares with Bangladesh.

Amid the deafening roars of machines and the resounding echoes of human perseverance, they are weaving an extraordinary tale of resilience and dedication. They are the unsung heroes, the lifeline providers, the relentless warriors of development, and the guardians of India's frontiers.

Do you know who is this powerhouse? This unstoppable force that’s taken the Herculean task of crafting a network of arteries across the nation's tough terrains? This is BRO.

Yes, you heard it right. It's BRO - the Border Roads Organization - the vanguard of India's infrastructural development in the frontier regions.  Unyielding, undeterred, and unbroken, BRO stands tall as an embodiment of 'Service before Self', making the impossible possible, one road at a time.

The unsung heroes etching paths of connectivity and progress, under the harshest conditions, ensuring the heartbeat of the nation never stops.

Since its raising, the Border Roads Organization (BRO) has continually played an instrumental role in the process of nation-building, primarily through the development of infrastructure in the border areas of our vast country. This significant contribution has been dual-fold - it has not only strengthened our defense preparedness by creating accessible routes to our frontiers but also has fueled socio-economic development in the border regions. These regions, once isolated due to tough geographical terrains, are now buzzing with opportunities and growth, thanks to the extensive network of roads and bridges constructed by the BRO.

BRO's contribution is not confined to our country's borders alone. In line with the government's vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' or 'Self-reliant India,' the organization is tirelessly working to connect the farthest reaches of the country with the mainstream. By doing so, it brings economic opportunities, healthcare, and education to remote areas, thereby fostering an inclusive growth model for the entire nation.

Moreover, the organization's impact extends beyond Indian borders. BRO actively participates in road construction projects in India’s friendly neighboring countries, reflecting its commitment to regional cooperation and development. It plays an integral part in executing the government's strategic objectives, thus making it a pivotal component of our nation's infrastructure development and strategic planning.

BRO was officially established on 7th May 1960. It was conceived with the crucial dual mission of securing India's borders and promoting the development of remote areas in the North and Northeastern states of the country. In its early years, two main projects were undertaken. For the Northern sector, 'Project Beacon' was launched in Srinagar, located in the Union Territory (then State) of Jammu & Kashmir. Meanwhile, in the Eastern sector, 'Project Vartak' was initiated at Tezpur in the state of Assam.

Fast forward to today, BRO has grown manifold, with 18 ongoing projects, one of which is even in the friendly nation of Bhutan. These ambitious projects extend across 11 Border States and three Union Territories, including the far-off Andaman and Nicobar Islands, showcasing the vast expanse of BRO's operations.

Over the past six decades, BRO's capabilities have significantly diversified and expanded. Initially focused on road construction, the organization now designs and builds permanent structures such as concrete and steel bridges, accommodation projects, and border fences. They've even ventured into constructing airfields and tunnel works, thereby exhibiting an incredible level of expertise and versatility.

BRO is widely recognized and appreciated for its speed in construction, delivering high-quality infrastructure while maintaining cost-effectiveness. This winning combination has made the organization an essential asset in the country's infrastructure development narrative. In recent years, BRO has consistently achieved remarkable feats and earned accolades across every domain. This relentless pursuit of excellence and commitment to nation-building has made our nation proud and instilled a sense of gratitude and awe for the people working tirelessly behind the scenes at BRO.

It is a beacon of resilience, determination, and perseverance, continually pushing boundaries to connect every corner of our vast nation. Whether it's bridging valleys in the Himalayas or carving roads in the deserts of Rajasthan, BRO's efforts have transformed lives and landscapes, bolstering our defenses and catalyzing socio-economic growth. Their work is a testament to India's spirit of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' - resilient, self-reliant, and proud.

In the annals of India's extraordinary accomplishments, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) achieved a landmark feat in 2021. They built the world's highest motorable road over Umlingla Pass, perched at an astounding altitude of 19,024 feet. This road, an engineering marvel, now links Chisumle and Demchok in Southern Ladakh, and its stellar achievement has not only etched India's name indelibly in the global map, but it has also earned recognition by the prestigious Guinness Book of World Records.

Another feather in the BRO's illustrious cap is the creation of the Atal Tunnel in Rohtang. This engineering masterpiece, opened by the Honorable Prime Minister of India on October 3, 2020, won a place in the World Book of Records on February 9, 2022, as the 'World's Longest Highway Tunnel above 10,000 Feet'. This distinction underscores BRO's relentless pursuit of excellence in overcoming geographical challenges.

Over the past two years, BRO has completed an awe-inspiring total of 205 infrastructure projects along India's Northern and Western Borders. These robust projects, consuming funds to the tune of approximately 5000 Cr, are a testament to the organization's unwavering commitment to fortifying our borders and advancing national development.

From its inception to the present day, BRO has successfully constructed a staggering 61,165 Km of roads, maintaining a significant 14,800 Kms under its vigilant care. Currently, they are labouring on constructing 6054 Km of roads along the Western, Northern, and Eastern Borders of India. In its six-decade-long journey, BRO has built more than 915 bridges, amassing an impressive 65633 meters in length. Now, the organization is currently constructing 139 bridges extending over 14954m and planning for nearly 160 more bridges.

As BRO marches ahead, its focus is on tunnel construction to ensure seamless, all-weather connectivity to the nation's most far-flung parts. This initiative is aimed at fostering inclusiveness like never before, especially in hilly and snow-bound regions. Tunnels are envisaged as a reliable alternative to the treacherous passes that remain inaccessible for parts of the year due to harsh weather conditions.

Marking another significant achievement, BRO recently completed the 500m long Nechiphu tunnel on the Balipara-Charduar-Tawang Road in Arunachal Pradesh. The upcoming Sela Tunnel, poised to be the world's longest bi-lane tunnel at an altitude above 13,000 ft, is expected to be completed soon. BRO has also been entrusted with the construction of the 4.1 Km long Shinkula tunnel on the Nimu-Padam-Darcha Road. This tunnel will provide an all-weather link between the Lahaul Valley in Himachal Pradesh and the Zanskar Valley in Ladakh. Currently, BRO is crafting 11 tunnels, with seven more tunnels under various stages of planning.

BRO's ambit of construction isn't limited to roads and tunnels alone. They have undertaken the construction of 19 airfields and numerous Advanced Landing Grounds & Helipads.

The reconstruction and upgrading tasks for the runways at Barrackpore and Bagdogra have been recently brought to a successful completion.

The historical Barrackpore airfield in West Bengal, active since World War II and the 1971 war, has been lengthened to specifications that will accommodate the operation of the IAF's C-17 aircraft. As one of the strategic airfields maintained by the BRO, the runway renovations has been concluded. Upon completion, it will be transferred back to the Indian Air Force (IAF), as confirmed by Army sources.

In a similar vein, the strategic Bagdogra airfield runway has undergone a resurfacing process executed by the BRO. This versatile airfield, close to Kolkata, accommodates almost all types of aircraft in the IAF's inventory, including wide-bodied commercial airlines. Even international flights from friendly neighboring countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh have resumed their operations from this airfield following its recent upgrade.

Furthermore, BRO has been bestowed with the responsibility of constructing the Nyoma Airfield in Ladakh, a project that will significantly amplify the Indian Air Force's capabilities in the region.

Looking at the sun-kissed Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has achieved a historic breakthrough. They've connected Laxmi Nagar, India's southernmost Panchayat located in the Great Nicobar Island, to the rest of the country. This connection, established by building a bridge over the Galatheya River and linking Indira Point to Shastri Nagar, was accomplished on the memorable day of January 24, 2023. Today, BRO beams with pride as they've stitched together both the Northern and Southern tips of our incredible India.

Thinking about the challenges our brave armed forces and local folks face during harsh winters, BRO has taken a big step forward. It's opened up high mountain passes like Zojila, Baralachala, Lachungla, Tanglangla, Shinkula, and Razdan Pass, which typically remain shut due to heavy snowfall. Earlier, these passages would close for a period of 4-6 months, but now most are either open all year round or closed for significantly shorter durations. This has eased the logistical efforts of our troops and improved the lives of local villagers.

The year 2023 brought more laurels for BRO as it bagged both the "Gold Certification for Timely Payment" and "Silver Certification for Order Value". This recognition, in the Central Government category in Government E Marketing (GeM), underlines BRO's total order value of Rs 1853 Cr in the financial year 2022-23. Also, in March 2023, BRO got a unique opportunity to represent the Armed Forces and share its experiences at the Anti-Corruption Working Group (ACWG) meeting of the G20 Nations in Gurugram.

Following the vision of our Hon’ble Prime Minister’s Make in India initiative, BRO built a 140 ft double lane indigenous Modular Bridge, withstanding up to 70R load, at the dizzying altitude of 11000 ft on Flag Hill-Dokala road in Sikkim. This pioneering construction led the way for seven more such bridges along our Northern Borders. Furthermore, BRO joined hands with GRSE to supply 60 such innovative double lane modular bridges.

With innovation at its core, BRO inked a MoU with the Defence Innovation Organisation on February 15, 2023. Through this partnership, BRO is exploring the potential of space technology to monitor its assets and enhance the speed and quality of Detailed Project Reports. In another exciting collaboration, BRO and ISRO's Development and Educational Communication Unit agreed to set up SATCOM Telemedicine Nodes. This effort will ensure prompt medical help to our troops and labourers in remote border areas through Telemedicine consultation with specialists stationed in major city hospitals.

BRO, undeterred by challenging terrains and extreme weather conditions, keeps pushing boundaries by incorporating new technologies in road infrastructure development. It uses innovative materials like Cementitious Bases, Geo Cells, Geosynthetics, Steel Slag, and Plastic Coated Aggregates. Also, BRO is building eco-friendly Carbon Neutral Habitats, Energy Efficient Habitats & 3D Printed buildings, underlining its commitment to the environment.

The recent years have seen BRO’s growth skyrocket due to effective planning, resource management, and timely execution. Its budget has experienced a threefold jump from around Rs 4500 Cr five years ago to Rs 12317 Cr in FY 2022-23. In a testament to the trust the government and Army place in BRO, the Ministry of Finance has increased the funds allocated under the GS Capital Head from Rs 2500 Cr in FY 2021-22 to Rs 5000 Cr in FY 2023-24.

In an awe-inspiring exemplification of women's empowerment, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has recently established an all-female Task Force at Hanle, Ladakh. This noteworthy achievement has occurred in one of the most challenging terrains where they even uphold Umling La, a testament to the capabilities of these remarkable women.

The revered verse "Where a woman is respected, the place becomes God's abode, with divine qualities, good deeds, peace, and harmony. However, if this is not done, then all the actions turn out to be fruitless" seems to have been etched in the principles of the BRO. The organization has persistently championed women's empowerment through the years by integrating a significant number of women into their workforce. Ranging from officers to commercial pilot license holders, these women are empowered with authority, responsibility, and respect.

The BRO strongly believes in the active participation of women in nation-building and has continued to endorse this conviction by assigning leadership roles to women. One such pioneering woman, GREF officer EE (Civ) Ms. Vaishali S Hiwase, assumed command of the 83 Road Construction Company on April 28, 2021. She is entrusted with an integral Indo-China road connecting Munisairi-Bughdiar-Milam, amidst an environment teeming with adversities and challenges. With grace and determination, she leads the operations with remarkable efficiency.

The organization made another stride in history on August 30, 2021, when Major Aaina of Project Shivalik assumed charge as Officer Commanding, 75 RCC at Pipalkoti in Chamoli district in Uttarakhand. She broke barriers as the first Indian Army Engineer Officer to command a road construction company. All three platoon commanders under her, Captain Anjana, AEE (Civ) Ms. Bhawana Joshi, and AEE (Civ) Ms. Vishnumaya K, are also women, marking the creation of the first-ever all-women RCC.

Over the past six decades, the BRO has progressively amplified the number of women in various roles and duties in road construction. An concerted effort is consistently made to empower them by endowing them with authority and responsibilities to perform tasks independently. These women have become embodiments of 'Nari Shakti' in their respective territories, bringing to fruition the empowering initiative taken by the BRO.

Therefore, the creation of the all-female Task Force at Hanle, Ladakh, is not only a remarkable achievement but also a testament to the limitless potential of women when provided with opportunities and responsibilities. This accomplishment far surpasses expectations and sets a benchmark for women's empowerment in other sectors.

BRO is committed to improving the lives of its hardworking Karmyogis by providing better living conditions, clothing suitable for high altitudes, and hygienic sanitation facilities. It also offers quality education and health facilities to their families. Today, as security issues increase along our international borders, robust and sustainable infrastructure, as built by BRO, is more important than ever. BRO stands as a symbol of nation-building and national integration, and its role promises to become more vibrant in the years to come.

So, let's salute the unwavering spirit of the Karmyogis of BRO, who work tirelessly amidst the harsh weather and challenging terrain of high-altitude areas. They are committed to exceeding the expectations of the government, security forces, and the people of our great nation.

With hearts filled with pride and unity, let's echo - Jai Hind! Jai BRO!!