Defence Minister Singh virtually lays the foundation stone of Nyoma Airfield in Eastern Ladakh
Ninety strategically-important infrastructure projects in India’s border regions, which are worth over Rs 2,900 crore and spread across 11 States and Union Territories, were dedicated to the nation on Tuesday (September 12, 2023).

They were inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at an event in Jammu. Additionaly,  he virtually laid the foundation stone of an airfield in Eastern Ladakh,  which will be among the world's highest airfields.

The projects, undertaken by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), include the Nechiphu Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh; two airfields in West Bengal; two helipads; 22 roads and 63 bridges. 

According to the Ministry of Defence,  BRO has completed the construction of these strategically-important projects in record time; most of them in a single working season using state-of-the-art technology. 

Of these 90 projects, 36 are in Arunachal Pradesh; 26 in Ladakh; 11 in Jammu & Kashmir; five in Mizoram; three in Himachal Pradesh; two each in Sikkim, Uttarakhand & West Bengal and one each in Nagaland, Rajasthan and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Nechiphu Tunnel

An important infrastructure project inaugurated by Defence Minister Singh was the 500-metre long Nechiphu Tunnel on Balipara-Charduar-Tawang Road in Arunachal Pradesh. This tunnel, along with the under construction Sela Tunnel, will provide all-weather connectivity to the strategic Tawang Region. It will be beneficial to the Armed Forces deployed in the region and the tourists visiting Tawang. Singh had laid the foundation stone of the tunnel in October 2020.

Bagdogra and Barrackpore Airfields

The revamped Bagdogra and Barrackpore Airfields in West Bengal, reconstructed at a cost of over Rs 500 crore, will not only bolster the preparedness of the Indian Air Force (IAF), but also facilitate commercial flight operations in the region.

Nyoma Airfield

Defence Minister Singh virtually laid the foundation stone of Nyoma Airfield in Eastern Ladakh. This airfield, to be developed at a cost of approximately Rs 200 crore, will boost the air infrastructure in Ladakh and augment the Indian Air Force's (IAF’s) capability along the Northern border. He exuded confidence that this airfield, which will be one of the world’s highest, would prove to be a game-changer for the Armed Forces.

The Defence Minister also expressed the hope that the BRO will soon set another unique record with the construction of Shinkun La Tunnel, the world’s highest tunnel at an altitude of 15,855 feet. The tunnel will connect Lahaul-Spiti in Himachal to the Zaskar Valley in Ladakh and provide all weather connectivity, he said, commending the BRO for developing infrastructure in border areas and making an invaluable contribution to the security of the nation.

Singh emphasised that infrastructure development in border areas is not only effective for national security, but also promotes connectivity with a neighboring country which functions with a spirit of co-operation with India. He pointed out that the BRO has constructed infrastructure projects in several countries such as Myanmar & Bhutan and helped in strengthening peace and cooperation with them.