Leh, Jun 28 (UNI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday inaugurated 63 infrastructure projects constructed by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in eight states from the Union Territory on the second day of his three-day visit to Ladakh.
Lauding the BRO for playing a significant role in connecting many parts of the country, Mr Singh said connectivity has great importance in the development of a country. “I would like to congratulate BRO, particularly the personnel who are involved in construction, for the extraordinary work it has done. There is no double about the fact that the roads and bridges being BRO constructed is increasing the pace of development in the country,” Mr Singh on Monday here said after virtually inaugurating 63 infrastructure projects constructed by BRO in eight different states.
Mr Singh said at a time the whole country was struggling with COVID-19 pandemic, BRO was busy with its activities. “Few days back 12 roads were inaugurated. Today 63 roads and bridges were inaugurated, taking the number of projects to 75. So, when we are in the 75th year of Independence, BRO has dedicated 75 infrastructure projects to the nation,” he said.
He said connectivity is very important for the development of a nation. “Like blood vessels are important for humans, roads are important for the development of a nation. If there are no bridges and roads, the nation can’t develop. I can say this with certainty that without roads and bridges, a nation can’t remain secured…That’s why I’m saying that the BRO is vital for development and security of the country,” he said.
Later, the Defence Minister visited Karu Military Station in Ladakh. Mr Singh, who arrived here on Sunday, is scheduled to attend a function organized by local administration between 1400 hrs and 1600 hrs on Monday.
On Sunday, the Defence Minister met elected representatives of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDC), Kargil and Leh. He also interacted with 300 veterans at Leh and reiterated the Government’s commitment towards the welfare of the ex-servicemen. He was also briefed about the security situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China in Eastern Ladakh by the senior Army officials, including GOC Fire and Fury Corps.
Mr Singh on Sunday arrived in Ladakh to review the overall security situation in the hinterland and along the borders in the Union Territory. The Defence Minister’s visit to Ladakh holds significance as it comes days after India and China held a fresh round of talks and agreed to resolve ‘remaining issues’ to end the prolonged military standoff that began in May last year along the LAC in eastern Ladakh.
At the 22nd meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC), held virtually, the two sides agreed to hold the next (12th) round of the Senior Commanders meeting at an early date to achieve the objective of complete disengagement from all the friction points along the LAC. “The two sides had a frank exchange of views on the situation along the LAC in the Western Sector of the India-China border areas,” a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday.
It said that both sides agreed on the need to find an early resolution to the remaining issues along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh keeping in view the agreement reached between the two Foreign Ministers in September 2020.
“In this regard, the two sides agreed to maintain dialogue and communication through the diplomatic and military mechanisms to reach a mutually acceptable solution for complete disengagement from all friction points so as to ensure full restoration of peace and tranquility to enable progress in the bilateral relations. They also agreed that in the interim, the two sides will continue to ensure stability on the ground and prevent any untoward incident,” the statement added.
UNI
