MESSAGE BY LT GEN HARPAL SINGH, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, DGBR ON THE OCCASSION OF BRO DAY 07 MAY 2020

1. As the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) completes 60 years of dedicated service to the Nation on 07 May 2020, I take this opportunity to convey my greetings to all Ranks, Veterans, CPLs and their families on this auspicious occasion.

2. I would like to pay homage to all those who laid down their lives in the line of duty in the highest tradition of the BRO. In 2019-20, we lost 121 GREF / Army Personnel and 117 CPLs while on duty. We pray that their souls may rest in peace and God Almighty grant their families the strength to bear this irreplaceable loss.

3. Since inception we have been a leading road construction agency involved in construction of roads, bridges, tunnels and airfields in remote border areas and have also undertaken construction in friendly foreign countries like Bhutan, Myanmar, etc in line with our overall strategic objectives.

4. Surge in Outcomes. There has been a major surge in outcomes in the last few years. This is evident from the fact that BRO has executed about 30% more works in FY 2019-20 as compared to FY 2018-19. We take pride in having executed 1273 Km Formation Cutting, 2214 Km of Surfacing, Rs 1715 crores of Permanent Works, 2979 Km of Major Bridges, Rs 689 crores of Tunnel Works and 2498 Km of Re-surfacing in FY 2019-20. In the last two years since FY 2017-18 there has been a surge of 44% in Formation Cutting, 15% in Surfacing, 55% in Permanent Works, 17% in Major Bridges and 49% in Resurfacing Works. The overall expenditure for FY 2019-20 was Rs 7867 crores as compared to Rs 5458 crores in FY 2017-18 and Rs 6859 crores in FY 2018- 19.

5. Milestones : 2019-20. Some important milestones are as under :-

(a) Completion of Five Strategic Roads.

(b) Connectivity Achieved on Two Strategic Roads.

(c) Atal Tunnel.

(i) Renamed by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of on 25 Dec 19 as “Atal Tunnel”.

(ii) Length - 8.8 Km.

(iii) Reduction in distance between Manali & - 46 Km.

(iv) Progress of Civil Works in 2019-20. Civil works in the Atal Tunnel were expedited during FY 2019-20 and are now nearing completion. The progress of civil works is as under:-

Item of Work Balance as on Progress Balance/ 01 Apr 2019 2019-20 Remarks

Benching 235 m 235 m Completed Egress 833 m 833 m Completed Kicher 768 m 786 m Completed Arch lining 2218 m 2218 m Completed Ventilation Slab 2869 m 2869 m Completed Deep Invert 556 m 556 m Completed Dry Iean Concrete 8970 m 6745 m 2225 m (DIC) Pavement Quality 8970 m 628 m 8342 m Concrete South Portal 100% 55% 45% Ventilation Building North Portal 90% 80% 10% Ventilation Building

(v) E&M Works. E&M works in the tunnel commenced in FY 2019-20 and all these works like Cable Tray Installation, Lighting, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning System etc are going on in full swing and will be completed as per planned schedule.

(vi) Work on Approach Roads. The approach to the tunnel is trafficable and the road geometrics and riding surface are being improved. Slope stabilisation and avalanche protection works are also nearing completion.

(vii) Completion. The Atal Tunnel is likely to be completed and ready for being dedicated to the Nation by Sep 2020.

(d) Sela Tunnel.

(i) Length of Twin Tunnels - 475 m and 1790 m.

(ii) Announced in Budget Speech - Feb 2018.

(iii) Shilanayas by Hon’ble Prime Minister - 09 Feb 2019.

(iv) Work on Tunnel Commenced - Jun 2019.

(v) Planned Completion - Mar 2022.

(e) Completion of Important Bridges. BRO completed 28 major bridges in 2019-20 with a total span of 3534 m.

(f) Bailey Bridges. Ten Bailey Bridges were launched.

6. Working Through the COVID - 19 Pandemic.

(a) Working During Lockdown.

(i) It is being ensured that works on strategically important projects continue to be executed during the COVID-19 lockdown with necessary precautions & social distancing norms in place.

(ii) SOP for COVID-19 Procurement. SOP for procurement of stores, protective equipments etc required for mitigating effects of COVID- 19 has been approved by MoD. This will facilitate expeditious procurement of all items and will ensure safety of BRO personnel involved in continuous execution of works. (ii) Lines of Communication. It is being ensured that all lines of communication remain open under all circumstances. Suitable teams and machinery have been deployed across Border States in remote areas for Snow, Avalanches and Landslides clearance.

(b) Snow Clearance. With an aim to ensure that lines of communication remain open, the BRO executed Snow Clearance Works on 149 roads. Winter Snow Clearance was carried out on a length of 2911 Km and Summer Snow Clearance was done on 1054 Km length. A total of 3965 Km snow clearance was carried out. Summary of Snow Clearance in various states is follows:-

S/No. State Winter Snow Summer Total Clearance Snow Clearance (i) J&K 1900 Km 807 Km 2707 Km (ii) 247 Km 87 Km 334 Km (iii) Uttarakhand 103 Km 160 Km 262 Km (iv) Sikkim & 661 Km - 661 Km Arunachal Pradesh 2911 Km 1054 Km 3965 Km

(c) Opening of Important Passes. Snow Clearance Works were carried out even during the Nation wide lock down to ensure timely opening of major passes. Dedicated efforts, advanced planning, optimum deployment of resources, use of modern equipment and high levels of motivation in all ranks etc ensured that important passes were opened well before the average opening dates each year. This was achieved in spite of the record breaking snowfall and restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Status of important passes is as under:-

S/No. Name Opening Date (i) Passes Roads 2019 2020 (ii) Razdhan Pass Bandipur- 06 May 2019 13 Apr 2020 (11,585 ft) Gurez (iii) Zojila Pass Srinagar-Leh 28 Apr 2019 15 Mar 2020 (19,000 ft) (iv) 19 May 2019 25 Apr 2020 (14,216 ft) (Planned) (v) Baralachla 01 Jun 2019 10 May 2020 Pass Manali- (Planned) (16,047 ft) Leh (vi) Taglangla 25 May 2019 15 Mar 2020 (17,582 ft) (vii) Lachungla 30 May 2019 20 Mar 2020 (16,616 ft) (viii) Nakeela 17 May 2019 10 Mar 2020 (16,170 ft)

(d) Lanslides Clearance. Clearance of landslides is a continuous process and dedicated teams of manpower and equipment are placed at vulnerable/ landslide prone areas to ensure quick/ prompt action. Several landslides have been cleared during the COVID-19 lockdown.

(e) Construction of Bridge at Daporijo.

(i) 430 ft span Bailey bridge was constructed over the Subansiri River at Daporijo in Arunachal Pradesh during the COVID-19 lockdown in Mar/ Apr 2020.

(ii) The old bridge was in a dilapidated condition and had to be dismantled for safety reasons.

(iii) BRO undertook construction of this bridge in record time to not only meet strategic requirements but also to ensure connectivity to 451 villages in upper Subansiri District bordering China.

(iv) The bridge is a lifeline for this region of the country.

(f) Construction of Kasowal Bridge.

(i) 484.m Multicell Box Bridge was under construction when the COVID-19 lockdown came into force.

(ii) Special permission was obtained from the Punjab Govt to ensure continuity of work during the COVID-19 lockdown and the bridge was completed in Apr 2020.

(iv) The bridge has been constructed over the Ravi River close to the International Border with Pakistan and provides connectivity to the Kasowal Enclave.

(v) In addition to its strategic significance, the bridge also acts as a lifeline to people/ farmers living in Kasowal Enclave who will now have connectivity throughout the year and will not be cut off from rest of the country during monsoons.

(g) Work on Atal Tunnel.

(i) On going work on the 8.8 Km long Atal Tunnel below the Rohtang Pass was stalled when the COVID-19 lockdown came into force.

(ii) Since the construction of Tunnel is at a critical stage, proactive measures were taken to recommence the work in coordination with the State Govt.

(iii) Works on all critical activities of Atal Tunnel have commenced with necessary medical and sanitary precautions in place.

(iv) It will be ensured that the construction of Atal Tunnel is completed as planned in Sep 2020.

(h) Construction of Mansarovar Yatra Route.

(i) The ongoing work on the Ghatibagarh-Lipulekh as part of the Mansarovar Yatra Route was affected by the COVID-19 lockdown.

(ii) Required permission was obtained from the State Govt to recommence the work as it is critical to complete formation cutting before the monsoons.

(iii) Resources were mobilized and concentrated to undertake formation cutting works with renewed vigour. This resulted in achieving initial connectivity of the road on 17 Apr 2020. The entire road will now soon be trafficable.

(iv) The work is now in full swing and is expected to be completed on schedule.

7. Strategically Important Works Planned for FY 2020-21.

(a) Overall Targets. The planned targets for Financial Year 2020-21 and the comparison with the achieved progress on 2019-20 are as under:-

S/No. Works Achieved Planned 2019-20 2020-21 (i) Formation Cutting 1273 Km 1627 Km (ii) Surfacing 2213 Km 3040 Km (iii) Permanent Works 1714 Cr 4266 Cr (iv) Major Bridges 2979 m 4076 m

(b) Strategic Roads Planned for Completion. 15 Strategic Roads are planned to be completed in FY 2020-21.

(c) Roads Planned for Connectivity. Two Strategic Roads are planned to be fully connected in 2020-21.

(d) Strategically Important Works. The strategically important works that are planned to be completed/ progressed during FY 2020-21 and where maximum focus/ dedicated effort will be employed, are as follows:-

(i) Atal Tunnel.

(aa) Finishing works in the Atal Tunnel are in full swing and the tunnel is likely to be completed in Sep 2020.

(bb) The Civil works of the tunnel are almost complete while surfacing works and balance works of South Portal Ventilation Building are also nearing completion.

(cc) The South Portal Ventilation Building works are likely to be completed by 30 May 2020. The surfacing works are planned to be completed by Jul 2020.

(dd) Completion of E&M works is dependent on imports. It will however be ensured that the tunnel is functional by Sep 2020.

(ii) Sela Tunnel. Work on the twin Sela Tunnels on the road to Tawang is being monitored closely and will be expedited.

(iii) Nimu-Padam- Road. The connectivity between Manali and Leh through Padam and Niraq is likely to be established by Sep 2020.

(iv) Underwater Tunnel Across Brahmputra. The tender for DPR preparation for construction of two under water road tubes and one rail tube across the Brahamaputra River is likely to be finalised and DPR work will be expedited. It is anticipated that the project will cost about ₹ 6000 crores and will have a construction period of five years after award of contract.

(e) Completion of Bridges. There has been a special focus on construction and timely completion of bridges in the last two years. 88 bridges with a total span of 6567 m are likely to be completed in FY 2020-21.

8. Welfare Measures. It has been our constant endeavour to ensure welfare of all ranks, CPLs and their families. Some recent measures initiated / planned in the near future are as follows :-

(a) Acquisition of Land at . Land measuring about nine acres in Delhi Cantt is being acquired by BRO. This land is planned to be utilised for construction of infrastructure like married accommodation for all ranks, shopping complex, parks, multipurpose hall etc for BRO.

(b) Authorisation of Winter Clothing. There was a long felt need for Super High Altitude Clothing for BRO. Govt Sanction to enhance the Nos of personnel authorised this clothing from 202 Nos to 3271 Nos has been accorded.

(c) Ex-Gratia Compensation for CPLs. Sanction for enhancement of Ex-gratia compensation for CPLs of BRO has been accorded. The details are as under :-

S/No Particulars Existing Rate Revised Rate Sanctioned (i) In case of Rs. 2.00 Lakh Rs. 5.00 Lakh death (ii) In case of Rs. 1.50 Lakh Rs. 4.00 Lakh Permanent disablement 100% (iii) In case of Rs. 1.00 Lakh x % Rs. 3.00 Lakh x % partial age of loss of age of loss of earning disablement earning capacity capacity

(d) Proposals Forwarded for Govt Sanction. The following proposals have been forwarded for Govt Sanction :-

(i) Grant of GREF Service Pay (GSP).

(ii) Financial Assistance to NOK of personnel missing at work site to facilitate release of benefits in cases where mortal remains of personnel are not retrievable.

9. The surge in outcomes produced by BRO, in the year gone by, gives me confidence that we will continue to excel in accordance with the trend line and targets that we have set for ourselves. It is therefore important that we maintain our momentum with highest levels of professionalism, dedication, discipline and exemplary conduct. We shall continue to overcome challenges of terrain, climate, security etc even during the time of COVID-19 and shall live up to the expectations and aspirations of all stakeholders and meet our overall strategic objectives.

10. Once again, I extend my greetings to all ranks of BRO, Veterans, CPLs and their Families and wish them all the very best in their future endeavours.