The Border Roads Organisation recorded its highest-ever expenditure of Rs 16,690 crore in Financial Year 2024-25, marking a sharp acceleration in strategic infrastructure development across India’s border regions.
For Financial Year 2025-26, an expenditure target of Rs 17,900 crore has been set, while the organisation’s budgetary allocation has increased from Rs 6,500 crore in the Union Budget 2024-25 to Rs 7,146 crore in the Union Budget 2025-26.
Since its establishment in 1960, the BRO has constructed over 64,100 km of strategic roads, 1,179 bridges spanning 71,204 metres, seven tunnels with a combined length of 13.24 km, and 22 airfields in border and remote regions of the country. Over the last two years, 356 infrastructure projects executed by the organisation have been dedicated to the nation.
Between FY 2020-21 and FY 2024-25, the Ministry of Defence allocated Rs 23,625 crore to the BRO for General Staff roads, enabling the construction of around 4,595 km of roads in forward areas. In FY 2024-25 alone, about 769 km of road construction was completed, primarily along the northern borders.
The BRO currently operates 18 field projects across 11 States and 3 Union Territories, executing large-scale road, bridge, tunnel and airfield infrastructure. In Arunachal Pradesh, projects such as Vartak, Arunank, Udayak and Brahmank have strengthened connectivity to the Line of Actual Control through assets including the Sisseri Bridge, Siyom Bridge, Sela Tunnel and Nechiphu Tunnel.
In Ladakh, BRO projects maintain critical routes such as the Srinagar-Leh highway, Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie Road, and the Atal Tunnel, ensuring all-weather connectivity. The Zoji La Pass was reopened on 1 April 2025 after a winter closure of 32 days, the shortest on record. The 920-metre Shyok Tunnel has further strengthened year-round access in high-altitude terrain.
Bridge infrastructure has expanded at scale. Project Vijayak in Ladakh has delivered and maintained over 80 major bridges, while Project Swastik in Sikkim has built 80 major bridges, including 26 completed in the last decade. In Jammu and Kashmir, the 422.9-metre Devak Bridge under Project Sampark has enhanced strategic mobility and heavy vehicle movement.
In the aviation sector, the BRO reconstructed the Bagdogra and Barrackpore airfields in West Bengal at a cost exceeding Rs 500 crore, strengthening Indian Air Force operational readiness, dual-use civilian connectivity, and strategic capability in the eastern sector.
Beyond infrastructure creation, the organisation continues to play a key role in disaster response. Its Road Opening Parties, avalanche detachments and bridge units restore connectivity after cloudbursts, floods, earthquakes and avalanches, integrating Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief into operational doctrine.
Internationally, the BRO has executed major overseas infrastructure projects, including Project Dantak in Bhutan, the 160 km India-Myanmar Friendship Road, the 218 km Delaram-Zaranj Highway in Afghanistan, and strategic reconstruction works at air bases in Tajikistan, strengthening regional connectivity and strategic partnerships.
Looking ahead, 470 roads covering about 27,300 km are planned in border areas. The approved Trans-Kashmir Connectivity project, spanning about 717 km, includes tunnels at key mountain passes to ensure all-weather connectivity and improved inter-sector movement.
