Rajnath Singh Launches 125 Border Infrastructure Projects Across India

In a significant move to bolster India's border infrastructure, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated 125 projects on 7 December 2025. This initiative includes vital works such as the Shyok tunnel in Ladakh, aimed at enhancing troop mobility, boosting tourism, and fostering economic growth in remote areas.

The multitude of projects, the highest number inaugurated simultaneously, is expected to improve last-mile connectivity to isolated villages and strategic military locations. This will facilitate uninterrupted transportation through regions prone to landslides and avalanches.

From the site of the 920-metre Shyok tunnel, located on the Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie Road, Singh virtually launched 28 roads, 93 bridges, and four additional projects across several Indian states, including Jammu and Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, West Bengal, and Mizoram. The total investment in these projects amounts to approximately ₹5,000 crore, funded by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).

During the inauguration, Rajnath Singh emphasised the Indian government's commitment to enhancing border infrastructure as part of its vision for a developed India, known as Viksit Bharat. He stated that these connectivity projects serve as crucial lifelines for national security, economic stability, and effective disaster management.

Singh remarked, "The speed with which India is fortifying its borders with roads, tunnels, smart-fencing, integrated command centres and surveillance systems is indicative of our belief that connectivity is fundamental to security."

He further highlighted the importance of strengthening ties between border regions and the national mainstream, asserting that these connections should remain unaffected by external influences.

In reference to the successful execution of Operation Sindoor, Singh noted, "Our armed forces conducted the operation in response to a serious terrorist attack in Pahalgam. The success of such extensive operations is contingent upon our robust connectivity. Timely logistics provided to the armed forces were crucial, enabling the operation to be a historic success."

The Defence Minister also dedicated 22 additional projects specifically for Jammu and Kashmir on the same day. These initiatives were launched in collaboration with the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, who participated in the ceremony via video conference.

Sinha expressed gratitude towards both Rajnath Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their roles in significantly enhancing border infrastructure and promoting socio-economic development in the region. He stated, "These national security infrastructure projects, developed under the BEACON and SAMPARK initiatives, will improve military mobility and ensure year-round access to remote areas, thereby enhancing the readiness of our forces and contributing to local development."

The inauguration of these projects marks a pivotal step in India's efforts to strengthen its border areas, ensuring better access for both military and civilian needs while fostering economic growth and stability in these strategically important regions.