The Border Roads Organisation functions under the control of the Ministry of Defence (since 2015). This body is responsible for maintaining the road networks in the border areas of India. 

This organization plays an equally important part in the infrastructure development of the border areas of the country. UPSC exam aspirants can expect questions based on BRO to be asked in the General Studies paper and thus may carefully go through the information given below. 

In this article, we bring to a brief background regarding the establishment of the Border Roads Organisation, along with its significance and need.

One of the biggest infrastructural achievements of BRO is the construction of the longest highway tunnel constructed in Himachal Pradesh, and named The Atal Tunnel, in the fond memory of the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. 

Atal tunnel under Rohtang Pass:

• It is an 8.8-kilometer-long tunnel and will be the world’s longest tunnel above an altitude of 3,000 meters.
• It will reduce the distance between Manali and Leh by 46 kilometers and saves transport costs.
• It will provide all-weather connectivity to remote border areas of Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh which otherwise remained cut off from the rest of the country for about six months during winters.

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An Introduction to Border Roads Organisation

BRO is a modern and transnational construction organization that is committed to meeting the strategic requirements of the Indian armed forces. The organization plays a vital role in upscaling infrastructural development.

Given below are a few of the most important things about the Border Roads Organisation:

• Initially, BRO was functional under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. But since 2015, it is being managed and is functional under the Ministry of Defence
• BRO is operational in 21 Indian states and 1 union territory. But also, functional in our friendly countries like neighboring countries such as Afghanistan, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka
• The Organisation was formed on May 7, 1960, to maintain and develop the Indian remote areas of north and northeast situated near the borders
• The BRO Raising Day is celebrated on May 7, every year
• In June 2018, Lt General Sanjeev Kumar Shrivastava took over the post of Director General in Border Roads Organisation and is the 
• The composition of this organization comprises Officers and troops who are selected from the Indian Army’s Corps of Engineers, Army Service Corps, Military Police, and other personnel

Candidates selected through the UPSC IES (Indian Engineering Services) are appointed to this organization. To know the difference between IAS and IES Officer, aspirants can visit the linked article. 

Mission of Border Roads Organisation

BRO works under set guidelines or as instructed by the Government of the country. Given below is the mission of BRO:

• To ensure that cost-effective, sustainable, and strategic needs of the armed forces are met without any inconvenience
• Achieving an international level of quality excellence and time consciousness
• Present their expertise in any project of national or transnational development
• Using information technology in the best possible manner and implementing it as an advantage in the various infrastructure projects
• Highest level of proficiency must be shown with every construction
• To upgrade the quality of life and livelihood in border areas by helping them with the means of easy transport, accessibility and connectivity

To know in detail about the other statutory, constitutional and quasi-judicial bodies in India, candidates can visit the linked article. 

Significance of Border Roads Organisation

The biggest assistance provided by Border Roads Organisation is to the defense sector of the country. It has diversified into a large spectrum of construction and development works comprising airfields, building projects, defense works and tunneling and has endeared itself to the people. BRO performs two separate functions during the time of peace and during the war.

Significance of BRO during Peace

• Contribute in the social-economic development of border states
• Developing the infrastructure of operational roads for the staff

Significance of BRO during War

• Maintaining and developing the roads through the Line of Control and perform any other specific task assigned by the Government

Apart from the above-mentioned situation, BRO’s contribution to the safety and growth of developing border regions of the north and northeast also plays a very important role.

Not just in India, but in our friendly neighboring countries as well, BRO has had a part to play in the infrastructural development. One of these includes the Delaram-Zaranj Highway in Afghanistan, which was constructed in 2008. 

Apart from this, in case of a calamity or natural disaster, the work to undertake reconstruction can also be handed over to Border Roads Organisation.

Border Roads Organisation PDF:-Download PDF Here

To get a List of National Highways in India, candidates can visit the linked article. 

UPSC Aspirants can also visit the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and get details about the nodal agency of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in India. 

For any further updates regarding the upcoming exams or the latest study material, candidates can visit BYJU’S and get expert assistance.