The Border Roads Organisation’s (BRO) Project Swastik celebrated its 65th Raising Day on Wednesday, commemorating decades of unwavering service, resilience, and engineering excellence in Sikkim’s challenging high-altitude terrain. Since its establishment in 1960, Project Swastik has constructed and maintained over 1,412 km of roads and 80 major bridges.
In a statement issued here, BRO spokesperson Lt Col Rattan Bhandari said that in the last decade alone, the project completed more than 350 km of roads, 26 bridges, and one tunnel, ensuring year-round connectivity to remote valleys and forward areas while supporting the operational requirements of the Armed Forces. The project has also successfully overcome natural disasters, including Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), cloudbursts, and floods in the Teesta River.
BRO’s Director General, Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan, lauded the unwavering dedication of the organisation and urged continued commitment to its mission of building a stronger, more connected nation.
The celebrations commenced with a wreath-laying at the Swastik Memorial, followed by a Sainik Sammelan, Bada Khana, cultural programmes, and a Swastik Mela. The inauguration of the renovated Unit Regimental Canteen and prayers at the Sarv Dharam Sthal were also undertaken.
In line with its commitment to the welfare of its workforce, Project Swastik launched new initiatives for Casual Paid Labourers (CPLs), including upgraded habitats, provision of protective gear, and health camps. These measures reaffirm BRO’s dedication to ensuring the well-being of the personnel who form the backbone of its operations, the spokesperson added.
BRO has planned infrastructure projects worth Rs 1,152.66 crore, including the construction of the Western Sikkim Highway, NH 310A, and NH 310AG.
These projects aim to improve road connectivity further, facilitate faster mobilisation of the Armed Forces, and incorporate advanced technologies such as geotextiles, slope stabilisation, avalanche mitigation, and eco-friendly construction methods to enhance resilience and reduce maintenance costs.