Besides speeding up road construction, the government aims to socio economic development in border areas

Giving momentum to road construction in border areas, the Ministry of Defence has accepted and implemented recommendations of Lt General (Retd) D B Shekatkar headed experts committee.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence, on the issue of developing border infrastructure, the government has implemented the recommendation on outsourcing of road construction work beyond optimal capacity of Border Roads Organisation.

It has been made mandatory to adopt Engineering Procurement Contract (EPC) mode for execution of all works costing more than Rs 100 crore.

As for introduction of modern construction plants, equipment and machinery for border construction, the government has accepted the recommendation for enhancing procurement powers of BRO from Rs7.5 crore to Rs 100 crore—for both domestic and foreign procurements.

BRO has recently inducted Hot-Mix Plant 20/30 TPH for speedier laying of roads, remote operated hydraulic Rock Drills DC-400 R for hard rock cutting, a range of F-90 series of self-propelled snow-cutters/blowers for speedier snow clearance.

New technology like blasting technology for precision blasting, use of geo-textiles for soil stabilisation, cementitious base for pavements, plastic coated aggregates for surfacing, is also being used to enhance the pace of construction.

With the empowerment of field officers through enhanced delegation of financial and administrative powers, there has been significant improvement in faster financial closure of works.

The land acquisition and all statutory clearances like forest and environmental clearance are also made part of approval of Detailed Project Report (DPR).

Further, with the adoption of EPC mode of execution, it is mandatory to award work only when 90 per cent of the statutory clearances have been obtained, implementing the recommendation of experts committee regarding obtaining prior clearances before the commencement of the project.