Defense Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated 125 infrastructure projects by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) on Sunday, December 7, 2025, in a ceremony held in Ladakh. This marks the highest number of projects ever inaugurated in a single event, with a combined value of approximately ₹5,000 crore. These projects span across two Union Territories, Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir, and seven states: Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, West Bengal, and Mizoram.
The infrastructure enhancements include 28 roads, 93 bridges, and four other key assets, representing a significant boost to border connectivity and development. The initiatives aim to improve last-mile connectivity to remote villages and forward military locations, integrating these areas more closely with the rest of the nation.
A highlight of the inauguration was the Shyok Tunnel, a 920-meter "cut-and-cover" tunnel built on the Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie (DS-DBO) Road at an altitude of over 12,000 feet. This tunnel is expected to ensure all-weather connectivity to a strategically important area, especially during the harsh winter months when heavy snowfall and avalanches can disrupt transportation. The DS-DBO axis leads to India's northernmost military outpost at Daulat Beg Oldie, near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and close to the Karakoram Pass. The tunnel will drastically reduce winter disruptions, ensuring a stable logistics chain for troops deployed in the high-friction eastern Ladakh sector.
Singh also virtually inaugurated the Galwan War Memorial in Ladakh, honoring the courage and sacrifice of Indian soldiers. He emphasized the importance of robust border connectivity for national security, enhanced logistics movement, increased tourism, and employment generation. He also noted that strong infrastructure reinforces people's faith in development, democracy, and the government.
During the inauguration, Singh spoke about Operation Sindoor, highlighting how strong connectivity enabled the Armed Forces to conduct the operation with precision and coordination. He stated that the speed at which India is strengthening its borders with roads, tunnels, smart fencing, integrated command centers, and surveillance systems demonstrates that connectivity is a backbone of security.
The Defence Minister reiterated the government's commitment to strengthening border infrastructure and achieving self-reliance in defense manufacturing. He cited a record BRO expenditure of ₹16,690 crore in FY 2024-25 and an enhanced outlay for FY 2025-26, emphasizing the government's dedication to border development. In the last two years, 356 BRO projects have been dedicated to the nation, showcasing the organization's capabilities across diverse and challenging terrains.
