View source for Border Roads Organisation

{{Short description|Indian statutory body}}
{{EngvarB|date=February 2014}}{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox organisation
| name                     = Border Roads Organisation<ref name=upr1 />
| image                    = Border Roads Organisation logo.svg
| image_border             = 
| size                     = 
| caption                  = Logo of Border Road Organisation
| map                      = BRO Flag.svg
| msize                    = 140px
| mcaption                 = Flag of BRO
| abbreviation             = BRO
| formation                = 7 May 1960
| native_name              = सीमा सड़क संगठन
| Part of                  = 
| extinction               = 
| status                   = 
| purpose                  = Providing infrastructure to the armed forces of India and friendly nations
| headquarters             = Seema Sadak Bhawan, [[Delhi Cantonment]],  [[New Delhi]]
| region_served            = 
| membership               = 
| leader_title             = Director General
| leader_name              = Lt. Gen. 
Raghu Srinivasan<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lt General Raghu Srinivasan assumes charge as Border Roads Organisation chief |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/lt-general-raghu-srinivasan-assumes-charge-as-border-roads-organisation-chief-2442853-2023-10-01 |access-date=2 October 2023 |website=India Today |date=October 2023}}</ref>
| main_organ               = 
| parent_organisation      = [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defence]]
| affiliations             = 
| num_staff                = 
| num_volunteers           = 
| awards                   = * 23 × [[Kirti Chakra]]
* 218 × [[Shaurya Chakra]]
* 2 × [[Padma Shri]]
* 16 × [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]]
* 43 × [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]
* 25 × [[Sena Medal]]
* 3 × [[Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak]]
* 17 × [[Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak]]<br />''(see [[#Decorations]] for more details)''
| budget                   = {{INRConvert|7146.5|c|lk=on|year=2025}} (2025–26)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-01 |title=A record over Rs 6.81 lakh crore allocated in Union Budget 2025-26 for MoD, an increase of 9.53% from current Financial Year |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2098485 |access-date=2025-05-25 |website=[[Press Information Bureau]]}}</ref>
| website                  = {{url|bro.gov.in}}
}}
 
The '''Border Roads Organisation''' ('''BRO''') is a [[Statute|statutory body]] under the [[ownership]] of the Ministry of Defence of the [[Government of India]]. BRO develops and maintains road networks in India's border areas and friendly neighboring countries. This includes infrastructure operations in 19 states and three union territories (including [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]]) and neighboring countries such as [[Afghanistan]], [[Bhutan]], [[Myanmar]], [[Tajikistan]], and [[Sri Lanka]]. By 2022, BRO had constructed over {{Convert|55000|km|mi|abbr=}} of roads, over 450 permanent bridges with a total length of over {{Convert|44000|m|mi|abbr=}}, and 19 airfields in strategic locations. BRO is also tasked with maintaining this infrastructure, including operations such as snow clearance.<ref name="AR14-15">[https://www.morth.nic.in/sites/default/files/other_files/Annual-Report-2014-15.pdf ''Annual Report 2014–2015. Border Roads Organisation. (Chapter 7)''. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Government of India]. [https://web.archive.org/web/20210212102411/https://www.morth.nic.in/sites/default/files/other_files/Annual-Report-2014-15.pdf Archived] on 12 February 2021.</ref><ref>''Annual Report 2002–2003. [https://morth.nic.in/sites/default/files/68.pdf Border Roads Organisation.] (Chapter 8)''. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Government of India. [https://web.archive.org/web/20210212100555/https://morth.nic.in/sites/default/files/68.pdf Archived] on 12 February 2021.</ref><ref name="AR15-16">''[https://www.mod.gov.in/sites/default/files/AR1516.pdf Annual Report 2015–2016]''. Ministry of Defence. Government of India. Accessed on 13 June 2021.</ref><ref name="up1" />
 
Officers from the '''Border Roads Engineering Service (BRES)''' and personnel from the '''General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF)''' form the parent cadre of the BRO. It is also staffed by officers and troops drawn from the Indian Army Corps of Engineers on extra regimental employment (on deputation). The [[Indian Army Pioneer Corps]] is attached to the BRO task forces. BRO is also included in the [[Order of battle|Order of Battle]] of the Armed Forces, ensuring their support at any time.<ref name="Supreme">{{Cite web |last=Bhagwati |first=P. |date=6 May 1983 |title=Supreme Court of India: R. Viswan & Others vs Union Of India & Others on 6 May, 1983 |url=https://indiankanoon.org/doc/374187/ |access-date=12 February 2021 |website=Indian Kanoon}}</ref> The organisations motto is ''Shramena Sarvam Sadhyam'' (everything is achievable through hardwork).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Inherent Strengths |url=http://www.bro.nic.in/index2.asp?sublinkid=289 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921085952/http://www.bro.nic.in/index2.asp?sublinkid=289 |archive-date=21 September 2010 |access-date=25 September 2010 |website=Border Roads Organisatio n|at=Speed, Economy and quality}}</ref>
 
BRO is instrumental in significantly upgrading and building new [[India-China Border Roads]] (ICBRs).<ref>{{Cite news |agency=PTI |date=29 April 2021 |title=BRO appoints first woman officer for road project along border with China |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bro-appoints-first-woman-officer-for-road-project-along-border-with-china/article34436703.ece |access-date=12 July 2021 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Border Roads Organisation Appoints First Woman Officer For Road Project Along Border With China |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/border-roads-organisation-appoints-first-woman-officer-vaishali-s-hiwase-for-road-project-along-border-with-china-2424032 |access-date=12 July 2021 |website=[[NDTV]]}}</ref> BRO set a [[Guinness World Records|Guinness World Record]] in November 2021 for the "highest altitude road" at [[Umling La]], [[Ladakh]].<ref name="Highest" /> BRO has been instrumental in constructing projects like [[Atal Tunnel]], [[Atal Setu, Jammu and Kashmir|Atal Setu]], and Col Chewang Rinchen Setu, to name a few.

== History ==
{{Indian Armed Forces sidebar}}
The BRO was formed on 7 May 1960 to secure India's borders and develop infrastructure in remote areas of the north and north-east states of the country.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/bro.htm |title=Border Roads Organisation |work=GlobalSecurity.org |location=Alexandria, Virginia |access-date=25 September 2010}}</ref> To ensure coordination and expeditious execution of projects, the Government of India set up the Border Roads Development Board (BRDB) with the prime minister as chairman of the board and with the defence minister as deputy chairman.
 
Today, the BRDB exercises the financial and other powers of a Department of the Government of India and is chaired by the [[Minister of Defence (India)|Minister of State for Defence]]. Among others, Chief(s) of Army and Air Staff, Engineer-in-Chief, Director General Border Roads (DGBR), and FA(DS) are members of the BRDB. The secretary of the board exercises the powers of [[Joint secretary to the Government of India|Joint Secretary to the Government of India]]. The executive head of the BRO is the Director General Border Roads (DGBR), who holds the rank of [[lieutenant general]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bro.nic.in/indexab.asp?projectid=9&lang=1 |title=DG's Message |website=Border Roads Organisation |access-date=20 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526153223/http://www.bro.nic.in/indexab.asp?projectid=9&lang=1 |archive-date=26 May 2011}}</ref> In a bid to boost border connectivity, BRO has been entirely brought under the Ministry of Defence in 2015. Earlier, it received funds from the Ministry of Surface Transport under the [[Ministry of Road Transport and Highways]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/bro-to-be-brought-exclusively-under-defence-ministry-parrikar-114123100484_1.html |title=Border Roads Organisation to be brought exclusively under Defence Ministry: Parrikar |work=Business Standard |date=31 December 2014 |access-date=31 December 2014 |agency=Press Trust of India
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kulkarni |first=Pranav |date=1 January 2015 |title=BRO to come under sole control of Defence Ministry |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/bro-to-come-under-sole-control-of-defence-ministry/ |access-date=12 February 2021 |work=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref>

== Organisation ==
The BRO consists of the Border Roads Wing under the Ministry of Defense and the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF). Officers are selected through the [[Indian Engineering Services|IES]] Examination conducted by the [[Union Public Service Commission|UPSC]]. Officers are also deputed from the Indian Army Corps of Engineers, who are posted to GREF on ERE. The GREF includes civil engineers, mechanical engineers, administrative officers, and medical officers.
 
The Border Roads Engineering Service (BRES) officers are governed by the Central Civil Services (CCS/ CCA) Rules, 1965. They are also subjected to all provisions of the [[Army Act, 1950]] and Army Rules, 1954, except for a few exceptions as given in SRO 329 and SRO 330, both 23 September 1960. GREF is an integral part of the Armed Forces within meaning of Article 33<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Article 33 in The Constitution Of India 1949 |url=https://indiankanoon.org/doc/829916/ |access-date= |website=Indian Kanoon}}</ref> of the Constitution of India and members of GREF are also members of the Armed Forces as declared by the [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]] in respect of ''R. Viswan vs Union of India 1983'' and authorized for all benefits which apply to Armed Forces of India.<ref name="Supreme" /> The organisation's operations are spread across India, Bhutan, Myanmar, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan.<ref name="AR14-15" /> The BRO includes 18 projects, which are divided into Task Forces, Road Construction Companies (RCCs), Bridge Construction Companies (BCCs), Drain Maintenance Companies (DMCs), and Platoons. The organisation also includes base workshops, store divisions, training and recruitment centers, and other staff.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Organisation Chart |url=http://www.bro.nic.in/index2.asp?sublinkid=733 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100727202521/http://bro.nic.in/index2.asp?sublinkid=733 |archive-date=27 July 2010 |access-date=25 September 2010 |website=Border Roads Organisation}}</ref>
 
An [[Integrated financial advisor (India)|Internal Financial Advisor]] (IFA) supports the BRO, performing the roles of Chief Accounts Officer and Internal Auditor. This system was introduced on 23 March 1995 to introduce efficiency and improve resource utilisation.<ref>{{cite web |last=Mohan |first=Devendra |title=IFA System in Lower Formations of Border Roads Organisation |url=http://nidfm.nic.in/learning/OTHERTM/TMRC/CDABR/b-accounts/ifa-l.doc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619093421/http://www.nidfm.nic.in/learning/OTHERTM/TMRC/CDABR/b-accounts/ifa-l.doc |location=Pune, India |publisher=National Academy of Defence Financial Management, Ministry of Defence, Government of India |format=[[DOC (computing)|Microsoft Word]] |access-date=25 September 2010 |archive-date=19 June 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The IFA secured [[ISO 9001]] certification in December 1999. The organisation employs laborers locally. No local labourer is deployed in BRO for more than 179 days at a stretch, thus keeping the nature of their employment casual.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Panghat |first=Brig |date=4 February 2005 |title=GREF not Industry governed by Industrial Dispute Act |newspaper=Daily Excelsior |location=Jammu, India |url=http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/02feb05/state.htm#5 |access-date=25 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060503044135/http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/02feb05/state.htm#5 |archive-date=3 May 2006}}</ref>
 
=== Director General of Border Roads ===
[[File:BRO ORGANISATIOPN.jpg|thumb|BRO Organization Chart]]
A list of the Director General of Border Road (DGBR):<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ex DGs-Border Roads Organisation |url=http://www.bro.gov.in/index2.asp?lang=1&sublinkid=71&slid=968&projectid=9 |access-date=3 October 2020 |website=Border Roads Organisation}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2" |List of DGBR
|-
!#
!Officeholders
|-
|1
|Maj Gen KN Dubey, {{small|PVSM}}
|-
|2
|Maj Gen RA Loomba
|-
|3
|Maj Gen Arjan Singh
|-
|4
|Maj Gen JS Bawa, {{small|AVSM}}
|-
|5
|Brig Gobinder Singh <small>(officiating)</small>
|-
|6
|Maj Gen VV Bhide, {{small|AVSM}}
|-
|7
|Maj Gen JS Soin, {{small|PVSM}}
|-
|8
|Maj Gen S Ahluwalia, {{small|AVSM}}
|-
|9
|Maj Gen JM Rai, {{small|AVSM}}
|-
|10
|Maj Gen JC Sachdeva, {{small|PVSM}}
|-
|11
|Lt Gen MS Gosain, {{small|PVSM, AVSM, VSM}}
|-
|12
|Lt Gen Maharaj Singh, {{small|PVSM, AVSM}}
|-
|13
|Lt Gen Vimal Shinghal, {{small|PVSM, ADC}}
|-
|14
|Lt Gen RJ Mordecai, {{small|PVSM, AVSM}}
|-
|15
|Lt Gen AK Puri, {{small|PVSM, AVSM}}
|-
|16
|Lt Gen Prakash Suri, {{small|PVSM}}
|-
|17
|Lt Gen Ranjit Singh, {{small|SM}}
|-
|18
|Lt Gen KS Rao, {{small|AVSM}}
|-
|19
|Lt Gen AK Nanda, {{small|AVSM}}
|-
|20
|Lt Gen MC Badhani, {{small|PVSM, VSM}}
|-
|21
|Lt Gen S Ravi Shankar, {{small|PVSM, VSM}}
|-
|22
|Lt Gen AT Parnaik, {{small|SM, VSM}}
|-
|23
|Lt Gen RM Mittal, {{small|PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM}}
|-
|24
|Lt Gen Suresh Sharma, {{small|AVSM}}<ref>{{cite web |year=2016 |title=Lieutenant General Suresh Sharma takes over as Director General Border Roads (DGBR) |url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=134231 |access-date=6 January 2016 |publisher=Press Information Bureau, Government of India, Ministry of Defence}}</ref>
|-
|25
|Lt Gen SK Shrivastava, {{small|AVSM}}
|-
|26
|Lt Gen Harpal Singh, {{small|PVSM, AVSM, VSM}}
|-
|27
|Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhry, {{small|VSM}}
|-
|28
|Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan, {{small|VSM}} (incumbent)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lt General Raghu Srinivasan assumes charge as Border Roads Organisation chief |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/lt-general-raghu-srinivasan-assumes-charge-as-border-roads-organisation-chief-2442853-2023-10-01 |access-date=7 October 2023 |website=[[India Today]] |date=October 2023}}</ref>
|}

=== Centres of excellence ===
In June 2021, the "Centre of Excellence for Road Safety & Awareness" and "Centre of Excellence for Roads, Bridges, Air Fields and Tunnels" were set up.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Siddiqui |first=Huma |date=11 June 2021 |title=Rajnath Singh inaugurates BRO's two Centres for Excellence |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/rajnath-singh-inaugurates-bros-two-centres-for-excellence/2269702/ |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=[[The Financial Express (India)|The Financial Express]]}}</ref>
 
=== Ranks ===
; Officers
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OF/India (BRO)}}
|}

;Other ranks
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Indian forces/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/India (BRO)}}
|}

== Role of the BRO ==
{{anchor | Role }}
[[File:Jimmy Buffett Himank BRO sign in Nubra Valley, Ladakh, Northern India.jpg|alt=|thumb|385x385px|A Himank BRO road sign in Ladakh]]

BRO is entrusted with the construction of roads, bridges, tunnels, causeways, helipads, and airfields. The BRO is also in charge of the maintenance of its road networks. In many places, landslides, avalanches, and snow block the routes and have to be cleared as quickly as possible. BRO also employs more than 200,000 casual paid labourers for the task.<ref name="Supreme" />
 
===During Peace===
{{anchor | Peace }}

# To develop and maintain the operational road infrastructure of General Staff (GS) roads in the border areas.<ref name="Supreme" />
# To contribute to the socio-economic development of the border states.<ref name="Supreme" />
 
===During War=== 
{{anchor | War }}

# To develop and maintain roads to keep the line of control through in original sectors and re-deployed sectors.<ref name="Supreme" />
# To execute additional tasks as laid down by the government contributing to the war effort.<ref name="Supreme" />
 
===Research and development collaboration===
{{anchor | Collab }}

BRO collaborates with [[Council of Scientific and Industrial Research]] (CSIR) to bring the private sector innovations to border areas with the military's mission-oriented precision and discipline. This includes the use of the ''rejupe mix'' which allows bitumen to work at lower temperatures, use of high quality interlocking paver blocks in the durable roads at icy alpine heights, geotagging waypoints allowing snow-clearing machinery to stay accurately on the road while road is covered with snow with steep cliff-face gorges, etc.<ref name=opbrd1>[https://www.thestatesman.com/exclusive-interviews/linking-frontiers-with-the-nation-1503507700.html Linking frontiers with the nation], The Statesman, 5 Nov 2025.</ref>

== Border infrastructure development ==
{{see also | Ministry for Development of North Eastern Region#Projects | India–Myanmar_barrier#Look-East_Connectivity | label 1 = Northeast India connectivity projects | label 2 = Look East connectivity}}
 
In response to the ever-present security threat from Pakistan and increased incursions and rapid border infrastructure from China, India, too, is undertaking border infrastructure development.
 
=== Project names by geography ===

The BRO undertakes projects in India and friendly countries. These projects typically include developing roads, bridges, and airfields in hostile environments shunned by private enterprises, whether due to security concerns related to hostilities or because of environmental challenges. BRO has been active during the 1962 war, the conflicts with Pakistan in 1965 and 1971, and has also been active in anti-insurgency operations in the northeast.<ref name="Supreme" />
 
The BRO operates in 18 projects namely: Arunank, Beacon, Brahmank, Chetak, Deepak, Dantak<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wangchuk |first=Rinchen Norbu |date=5 December 2018 |title=Jalebi, Dosa & Samosa: How 'Dantak' Is Strengthening India's Friendship with Bhutan |url=https://www.thebetterindia.com/166014/india-bhutan-bro-dantak-canteen-diplomacy-news/ |access-date=12 February 2021 |website=The Better India}}</ref> (Bhutan), Himank, Hirak, Pushpak, Sampark, Yojak, Sewak, Shivalik, Swastik, Udayak, Vartak and Vijayak.<ref>[[Standing Committee on Defence (India)|Standing Committee on Defence]] (February 2019) [http://164.100.47.193/lsscommittee/Defence/16_Defence_50.pdf Fiftieth Report: Provision of all-weather road connectivity under Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and other agencies up to International borders as well as the strategic areas including approach roads- An appraisal.] Ministry of Defence, Lok Sabha Secretariat, Government of India. [https://archive.today/20200619062007/http://164.100.47.193/lsscommittee/Defence/16_Defence_50.pdf Archived] from the original on 19 June 2020.</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=14 January 2022 |title=BRO launches Project Yojak to boost road infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh |work=[[The Times of India]] |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/shimla/bro-launches-project-yojak-to-boost-road-infrastructure-in-himachal-pradesh/articleshow/88890450.cms |access-date=3 November 2023 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

Project Vijayak, raised in 2010, Project Vijayak has developed over 1,400 km of roads and 80 bridges in [[Ladakh]]. On its 15th Raising Day in 2025, it announced ₹1,200 crore worth of new works, including tunnels, bridges, and advanced road technologies. The project is noted for reopening the [[Zojila Pass]] within 31 days in 2025, and reflects India’s focus on connectivity and development in remote frontier<ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2169168}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|+BRO projects in India and friendly nations
!
!BRO Projects
!HQ/ Location<ref>Controller General of Defence Accounts (2008). [https://www.cgda.nic.in/ifa/ifabr_manual.pdf ''IFA (Border Roads Manual)''.] [[Ministry of Defence India]]. pg 12. Accessed on 13 July 2021.</ref>
!Notes
|-
! colspan="4" |Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh
|-
|1
|Beacon
|[[Srinagar]]
|Beacon is the oldest BRO project (along with Vartak). Initially known as ''Chief Engineer Roads (Ladakh)'' when it was initiated in 1960, it was renamed as ''Chief Engineer Project Beacon''. Roads under Beacon include [[National Highway 1A (India, old numbering)|NH1A]], [[National Highway 1B (India, old numbering)|NH1B]], [[NH 1D|NH1D]], [[Zoji-la Tunnel|Zoji La tunnel]].<ref name="BR">{{Cite journal |last=Gajria |first=K. T. |date=May 2007 |title=Border Roads Organisation. Connecting People. |url=http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2007/may01-07/h3.htm |journal=[[Sainik Samachar]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421111910/http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2007/may01-07/h3.htm |archive-date=21 April 2017 |access-date=13 June 2021}}</ref><ref name="AR15-16" />
|-
|2
|[[Project Himank|Himank]]
|[[Leh]]
| rowspan="2" |Beacon was divided into projects Sampark and Himank.<ref name="BR" />
|-
|3
|Sampark
|[[Jammu]]
|-
|4
|Vijayak
|Leh
|Raised in September 2010.<ref name="cheap">{{Cite web |last=Dutt |first=Gautam |date=September 2010 |title=BRO is the best and cheapest organisation for road-building in difficult terrains |url=https://forceindia.net/archives/archival-article-week/border-lines/ |access-date=13 June 2021 |website=Force India}}</ref>
|-
|5
|Nimmu-Padam-Darcha
|Ladhak
|strategically important all-weather 298&nbsp;km long Nimmu-Padam-Darcha Road<ref>{{cite news |title=BRO connects 298-km long Nimmu-Padam-Darcha road to Ladakh region |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/bro-connects-298-km-long-nimmu-padam-darcha-road-to-ladakh-region/article67995218.ece |access-date=9 April 2024 |work=BusinessLine |publisher=The Hindu Business Line |date=26 March 2024}}</ref>
|-
! colspan="4" |Sikkim, Northeast
|-
|6
|[[Project Vartak|Vartak]]
|[[Tezpur]]
|One of two projects raised in May 1960 and focused on Arunachal Pradesh. Formerly designated Project Tusker. Undertakes [[China Study Group]] roads.<ref name="BR" /><ref name="AR15-16" />
|-
|5
|[[Project Udayak|Udayak]]
|[[Doom Dooma]]
|One of the two older projects was raised in May 1960. Assigned road infrastructure projects in the north-east region of the country.<ref name="BR" />
|-
|7
|Arunanak
|[[Papum Pare district|Papum Pare]]
|Vartak was divided into Arunanak. Raised at [[Naharlagun]].<ref>[http://bro.gov.in/writereaddata/linkimages/2936176847.pdf Project Arunank- An Overview] Border Roads Organisation. pages 9. [https://web.archive.org/web/20210613085715/http://bro.gov.in/writereaddata/linkimages/2936176847.pdf Archived] on 13 June 2021.</ref>
|-
|8
|Sewak
|[[Dimapur]]
|Road development in the north-east amidst insurgency; roads include the Zunheboto-Aghunato-Kiphire road.<ref name="BR" />
|-
|9
|Pushpak
|[[Aizawl]]
|Roads in north-east India including Mizoram, Assam and Manipur; NH-39, NH-53.<ref name="BR" />
|-
|10
|Setuk
|[[Shillong]]
|Raised in 1990 for bridge construction. Restructured in 1994 to assist in other road development projects in the north-east. The project has also been assigned fencing along the India-Bangladesh border.<ref name="BR" />
|-
|11
|Swastik
|[[Gangtok]]
|Revived in 2008. Roads in Sikkim.<ref name="cheap" />
|-
! colspan="4" |Other states
|-
|12
|Hirak
|[[Tanakpur]]
|Hirak (transl. Black Diamond) are responsible for the [[National Highway 63 (India)|NH-16]] and roads and bridges in the [[Naxalite–Maoist insurgency|naxal]] areas. It has also undertaken work in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.<ref name="BR" />
|-
|13
|[[Project Shivalik|Shivalik]]
|[[Rishikesh]]
|Road infrastructure to the international border.<ref name="cheap" />
|-
|14
|Deepak
|[[Shimla]]
|Project Deepak continues to improve roads in Uttarakhand. It keeps open the roads to [[Char Dham]]s and [[Gurudwara Shri Hemkund Sahib]].<ref name="BR" />
|-
|15
|Brahmank
|[[Pasighat]]
|
|-
|16
|Chetak
|[[Bikaner]]
|Raised in 1962 and named after [[Maharana Pratap]]'s horse [[Chetak]]. Roads and development undertaken include the Joshimath-Malari-Rinkin road, Rishikesh-Badrinath road, Tanankpur-Tawaghat road, [[NH 4B|NH4B]], [[NH 17B|17B]], and naval airfield resurfacing in Maharashtra.<ref name="BR" />
|-
|17
|Yojak
|[[Manali, Himachal Pradesh|Manali]] (temporary)
|Inaugurated in 2022, it is tasked to construct tunnels and maintain existing tunnels like the Atal Tunnel, along with building roads in the Manali-Ladakh axis
|-
! colspan="4" |National-International
|-
|18
|[[Project Dantak|Dantak]]
|[[Simtokha Dzong|Simtokha]]
|Initiated in Bhutan, [[Dantak]] now covers adjacent India states. Roads developed include Sherbathang-Nathu La road, Gangtok-Sherbathang road, and Sevoke-Gangtok road.<ref name="BR" />
|-
| colspan="4" |Projects have also included those in Myanmar and Afghanistan (Zaranj).
|}

=== Yearly summary of roads constructed ===

{| class="wikitable"
|+BRO road length constructed in India.
!<small>Fiscal year</small>
!<small>Length constructed</small>
!<small>Annual budget (₹ crore)</small>
!<small>Notes</small>
|-
| Before 2015
| {{Convert|50000|km|mi|abbr=}}<ref name="AR14-15" />
| ~2,000
|{{Convert|632|km|mi|abbr=}}/year between 2010-15
 
|-
| 2015–2016
| ?<!--{{Convert|0|km|mi|abbr=}} -->
| 3,300
|{{Convert|809|km|mi|abbr=}}/year between 2015-20
 
|-
| 2016–2017
| ?<!--{{Convert|0|km|mi|abbr=}} -->
| 4,300
|{{Convert|809|km|mi|abbr=}}/year between 2015-20
 
|-
| 2017–2018
| {{Convert|612.82|km|mi|abbr=}}<ref name="up1">{{Cite web |date=10 August 2022 |title=5 yrs, 3,595 km new border roads |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/5-yrs-3-595-km-new-border-roads-420500 |access-date=5 October 2022 |website=The Tribune |location=India}}</ref>
| 4,500 
|{{Convert|809|km|mi|abbr=}}/year between 2015-20
 
|-
| 2018–2019
| {{Convert|608.62|km|mi|abbr=}}<ref name="up1" />
| 4,900
|{{Convert|809|km|mi|abbr=}}/year between 2015-20
 
|-
| 2019–2020
| {{Convert|991.22|km|mi|abbr=}}<ref name="up1" />
| 5,200
|{{Convert|809|km|mi|abbr=}}/year between 2015-20
 
|-
| 2020–2021
| {{Convert|940.64|km|mi|abbr=}}<ref name="up1" />
| 5,800
|{{Convert|809|km|mi|abbr=}}/year between 2020-20
 
|-
| 2021–2022
| {{Convert|741.70|km|mi|abbr=}}<ref name="up1" />
| 6,500
| {{cvt|3,595|km}} new BRO roads in five years from 2017–2018 to 2021–2022.<ref name="up1" />
 
|-
| 2022–2023
| ?<!--{{Convert|0|km|mi|abbr=}} -->
| 7,500
|

|-
| 2023–2024
| ?<!--{{Convert|0|km|mi|abbr=}} -->
| 8,500
|

|-
| 2024–2025
| {{Convert|1125|km|mi|abbr=}} 
| 9,500 
|<ref name=upr1>[https://www.news9live.com/india/border-infra-push-sends-ripples-across-lac-strengthens-indias-strategic-edge-dg-bro-2882888 Border infra push sends ripples across LAC, strengthens India’s strategic edge: DG BRO], News9live.com, 15 Aug 2025.</ref>
 
|-
| 2025–2026
| {{Convert|1500|km|mi|abbr=}} 
| 16,000
|<ref name=upr1/>

|-
| 2026–2027
| <!--{{Convert|0|km|mi|abbr=}} -->
| 18,700
|<ref name=upr1/>

|-
| '''Total'''
| '''~{{Convert|55000|km|mi|abbr=}}'''
| 
|
|}

=== Border roads ===
{{main | India-China Border Roads}}
 
As per a July 2017 update to [[Lok Sabha]] from the Government of India, construction of 73 completed strategic roads along the [[Sino-Indian border dispute|Sino-India border]] was approved in 2005 with initial and currently revised deadlines of 2012–2013 and 2019–2020 respectively, including 43 by the Ministry of Defence and 27 by the Ministry of Home Affairs, of which only 21 roads by March 2017 and 30 roads by July 2017 have been completed and the remaining are under construction as progress was slowed down due to wildlife conservation and environmental approval, insurgency related security hurdles, delay in land acquisition by the states, inaccessible terrain, inclement weather, and other impediments.
 
BRO is constructing 63 out of these 73 roads as it costs BRO {{INRConvert|15|m|currency_formatting=c|lk=on|to=USD EUR|year=2017}} to {{INRConvert|30|m|currency_formatting=c|lk=on|to=USD EUR|year=2017}} per km compared to {{INRConvert|60|m|currency_formatting=c|lk=on|to=USD EUR|year=2017}} to
{{INRConvert|70|m|currency_formatting=c|lk=on|to=USD EUR|year=2017}} per km of road construction by the private companies.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/59647920.cms |title=73 roads of operational significance being built along China border: Kiren Rijiju |work=[[The Economic Times]] |date=18 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Sushant |last=Singh |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/china-border-roads-hobbling-12-years-later-21-of-73-ready-modi-xi-jinping-4698272/ |title=China border roads hobbling, 12 years later, 21 of 73 ready |work=[[Indian Express]] |date=11 July 2017}}</ref> In two years alone, 2015–16 and 2016–17, prime minister [[Narendra Modi]]'s government has allocated more than US$4.7 billion in contracts for the development of border roads, which also includes the US$256 million {{convert|1360|km}} [[India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway]] from [[Moreh, India|Moreh]] in Manipur through [[Tamu, Myanmar]] to [[Mae Sot]] in Thailand.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/chinas-silk-road-lends-urgency-to-indias-regional-ambitions/articleshow/59981753.cms |title=China's Silk Road lends urgency to India's regional ambitions |work=[[The Economic Times]] |date=9 August 2017}}</ref>
 
In July 2020, BRO was also tasked with [[Tawang#Lumla|building new roads]] to connect eastern Bhutan to western [[Tawang]] area such as [[Lumla]]-[[Trashigang]] road through [[Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-proposes-to-build-road-via-bhutans-wildlife-park/articleshow/76950740.cms |title=India proposes to build road in Bhutan's 'Yeti territory' which China claimed recently |work=[[The Economic Times]] |date=15 July 2020}}</ref>
 
=== Road bridges ===

To provide multiple points of alternative connectivity to the forces, BRO is building 410 2-lane class-70 (heavy load bearing including tanks) road bridges along the {{cvt|3,440|km|adj=on}} long [[McMahon Line]] border with China, including 144 in [[Arunachal Pradesh]] (75 already under construction and will be completed by 2020), 100 under construction in [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]], 55 under construction in [[Uttrakhand]], 40 under construction in [[Sikkim]] and 25 under construction in [[Himachal Pradesh]] (c. Dec 2017).<ref name="mac1">[http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/62110250.cms India building bridges in Arunachal for LAC access], ''The Economic Times'', 18 December 2017.</ref> The annual pace of construction is {{cvt|3|km}} of bridges (c. Dec 2017).<ref name="mac1" /> On 12 October 2020, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated 44 new bridges.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gupta|first=Shishir|date=12 October 2020|title=54 done, BRO rushes to build 48 bridges that can shoulder T-90 main battle tanks|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/army-s-bro-building-100-bridges-by-march-most-of-them-near-china-border/story-56XIHQA8yE05IHLDEptZqM.html|access-date=13 June 2021|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>
 
=== Border tunnels ===
{{main | India-China_Border_Roads#Border_tunnel_projects | l1= List of geostrategic tunnels of India}}
 
In November 2017, BRO announced the plan to construct 17 road and rail tunnels, with a total length of {{cvt|100|km}}, on some of the 73 strategic roads on the Sino-Indian border to provide year-round all-weather rail and road surface connectivity. Currently, surface access to high altitude posts on the Sino-India border is closed for six months every year due to snowfall and rain, and supplies are through air lift only. Some of these 17 tunnels are already under construction, including [[National Highway 1 (India)|Srinagar-Kargil-Leh NH1]] in J&K ([[Zoji La]] pass tunnel), [[Leh-Manali Highway]] in J&K and Himachal Pradesh ([[Lungalacha La]], [[Bara-lacha la]], [[Tanglang La]], [[Shingo La]] near [[Nimo, Leh|Nimo]] and [[Rohtang Tunnel]]), 578 meter [[Theng Pass]] tunnel on NH310A between [[Chungthang]] and [[Tung, Sikkim|Tung]] in North Sikkim, [[Nechipu Pass]] (near [[Bomdila]]) and [[Sela Pass]] tunnels on [[National Highway 13 (India)|Bogibeel Assam to Sagalee to Tawang NH13]] in Arunachal Pradesh. This will reduce the travel time and operational costs, and eliminate the risk of avalanches and landslides.<ref>[https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/61522629.cms "For year-round border security, India plans tunnels on China border."], ''The Economic Times'', 6 November 2017.</ref><ref>[http://www.voyants.in/2015/01/16/voyants-bagged-independent-engineer-services-in-arunachal-pradesh/ "Voyants bagged Independent Engineer Services in Arunachal Pradesh"]</ref>

== Other projects ==
  
=== Overseas infrastructure development ===

Some of these projects carry out some of the development initiatives of the Indian government in foreign territories like Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Bhutan. These include the [[Delaram-Zaranj Highway]] in Afghanistan, completed and handed over to the Afghan government during 2008,<ref>{{Cite news |title=India hands over Afghan road, trade can now flow via Iran |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/india-hands-over-afghan-road-trade-can-now-flow-via-iran/414315/ |newspaper=[[The Indian Express]] |last=Pubby |first=Manu |date=23 January 2009 |location=New Delhi |access-date=25 September 2010}}</ref> and the restoration of the [[Farkhor Air Base|Farkhor]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=India to deploy MiG-29 fighters at Tajikistan base |url=http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/intelandterror/article_1156924.php/India_to_deploy_MiG-29_fighters_at_Tajikistan_base |work=Monsters and Critics |publisher=WOTR |location=Indianapolis |date=20 April 2006 |access-date=25 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080930211704/http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/intelandterror/article_1156924.php/India_to_deploy_MiG-29_fighters_at_Tajikistan_base |archive-date=30 September 2008}}</ref> and [[Ayni Air Base|Ayni]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=India may have to quit Tajik military 'base' |last=Bedi |first=Rahul |work=Monsters and Critics |url=http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/india/features/article_1357885.php/India_may_have_to_quit_Tajik_military_base |date=20 September 2007 |access-date=25 September 2010 |publisher=WOTR |location=Indianapolis |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923192737/http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/india/features/article_1357885.php/India_may_have_to_quit_Tajik_military_base |archive-date=23 September 2011}}</ref> air bases in Tajikistan.

=== Disaster management and reconstruction ===

The BRO also played a vital role in reconstruction work in the aftermath of the devastating 2004 [[Effect of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake on India#Affected states and regions|tsunami]] in [[Tamil Nadu]], the [[2005 Kashmir earthquake]],<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Work in progress to restore vital border road |journal=[[Outlook India]] |date=24 October 2005 |location=New Delhi |url=http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?330760 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130233529/http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?330760 |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 January 2013 |access-date=25 September 2010}}</ref>
and the [[2010 Leh floods|2010 Ladakh flash floods]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100916/main5.htm |newspaper=The Tribune |title=Five weeks after floods, Leh-Manali road opens |last=Watts |first=Archit |date=15 September 2010 |location=Chandigarh, India |access-date=25 September 2010}}</ref>
 
==Decorations==

===Summary count===

Awards attained by BRO personnel between 1960 and 31 January 2020:<ref>[http://bro.gov.in/WriteReadData/linkimages/2644163806-2.pdf BRO Scroll of Honour and Awards: 1960 to 31 January 2020.] [https://web.archive.org/web/20210212052147/http://bro.gov.in/WriteReadData/linkimages/2644163806-2.pdf Archived] on 12 February 2021.</ref>
 
* 23 × [[Kirti Chakra]]
* 218 × [[Shaurya Chakra]]
* 2 × Bar to Shaurya Chakra
* 2 × [[Padma Shri|Padam Shree]]
* 16 × [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]]s
* 43 × [[Ati Vishist Seva Medal]]s
* 110 × [[Vishisht Seva Medal]]s
* 25 × [[Sena Medal]]s
* 3 × [[Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak]]
* 17 × [[Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak]]
* 69 × [[Jeevan Raksha Padak]]
 
[[File:A.P.J. Abdul Kalam presenting the Shaurya Chakra Award to Mrs. Raji Genesan EX-GS-173840X Supdt. Building and Roads Grade-II, Genesan M, Border Roads Organisation (Posthumous), at Defence Investiture Ceremony.jpg|thumb|The President, [[A. P. J. Abdul Kalam|A.P.J. Abdul Kalam]], presenting the Shaurya Chakra Award to Mrs. Raji Genesan EX-GS-173840X, [https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/category/bro?page=11 Genesan M], BRO (Posthumous) 2007]]
In 2009, eight Shaurya Chakras, all posthumous, were awarded to BRO personnel for their actions in places such as Afghanistan, Sikkim, the north-east and Jammu and Kashmir.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Eight Shaurya Chakras for BRO |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/eight-shaurya-chakras-for-bro/439218/|access-date=1 September 2020 |work=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref> Bulldozer operator Zalim Singh, Bar to the Shaurya Chakra, was crushed by boulders while clearing a strategic road for Indian Army tanks. Two BRO men working on BRO's Project Zaranj in Afghanistan were killed during a suicide bomb attack on [[Zaranj-Delaram Highway|Zaranj-Delaram highway]]. Engineer Santosh Kumar Singh and driver Jaikrit Singh Rawat, while working on the Kishtwar-Sinthan Pass, died in an ambush. Others died or were killed in places such as Meghalaya, Kailash Mansarovar, Kali River, and Hapoli Sarli-Huri road.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 March 2009 |title=BRO bags 8 Shaurya Chakras |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/latest-headlines/story/bro-bags-8-shaurya-chakras-42658-2009-03-25 |access-date=1 September 2020 |website=[[India Today]]}}</ref>
 
=== Recognition ===
In November 2021, BRO received a Guinness World Record for the "highest altitude road" following construction at [[Umling La]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 November 2021 |title=Indian Army's BRO sets Guinness World Record for world's highest motorable road |url=https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/news/indian-army-s-bro-sets-guinness-world-record-for-world-s-highest-motorable-road-41637476970016.html |url-status=live |access-date=7 December 2024 |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121082725/https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/news/indian-army-s-bro-sets-guinness-world-record-for-world-s-highest-motorable-road-41637476970016.html |archive-date=21 November 2021}}</ref><ref name="Highest">{{Cite web |title=Highest altitude road |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/62927-highest-road |access-date=8 January 2022 |website=Guinness World Records}}</ref> In June 2021, with the assistance of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), [[Kanchan Ugursandi]] made a solo motorcycle expedition to Umling La.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roy |first=Dyuti |date=24 January 2022 |title=Kanchan Ugursandi: Woman motorcyclist from Jharkhand hits road with a cause |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/good-news/2022/Jan/24/kanchan-ugursandi-woman-motorcyclist-from-jharkhand-hits-road-with-a-cause-2410607.html |access-date=1 December 2024 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>{{Clear}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths="200">
File:The Minister of State for Defence, Shri Jitendra Singh in a group photographs during the Chief Engineers Conference, organised by the Border Roads Organisation, in New Delhi on September 24, 2013.jpg|The Minister of State for Defence in a group photograph during the Chief Engineers Conference, organised by the BRO, 2013
File:The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman releasing a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) Coffee table book ‘Will of Steel’, in New Delhi.jpg|Union Minister for Defence releasing a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) Coffee table book 'Will of Steel', in New Delhi. NSA is also present.
File:The Director General, Border Roads, Lt Gen Arun Kumar Nanda addressing an Annual Press Conference on the eve of 48th Raising Day of the Border Roads Organisation, in New Delhi on May 06, 2008.jpg|Director General, Border Roads, Lt Gen Arun Kumar Nanda addressing an Annual Press Conference on the eve of 48th Raising Day of the BRO, 2008
File:BRO messages in Ladakh.jpg|BRO road signs
File:Stamp of India - 1985 - Colnect 167197 - Border Roads Organisation.jpeg|1985 postal stamp
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[Indian Army Corps of Engineers]]
* [[Trans-Arunachal Highway]]
* [[Mago-Thingbu to Vijaynagar Border Road]]
* [[Chota Char Dham Railway]]
 
== References ==
{{reflist}}
 
== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|http://www.bro.gov.in/}}
{{Military of India}}
 
[[Category:1960 establishments in Delhi]]
[[Category:Government agencies established in 1960]]
[[Category:Military of India]]
[[Category:Executive branch of the government of India]]
[[Category:Roads in India]]
[[Category:Border Roads Organisation]]