BRO DG Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan, PVSM, VSM, in conversation with Ananya Dasgupta on The Statesman Talk.
Q: Sir, you’re working right from the deserts of Rajasthan to Jammu and Kashmir, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. You’ve built over 65,000 kilometres of roads, but I’m sure that figure doesn’t quite sum up the work that you do. What is that one Himalayan feat that you and your teams have pulled off in the last few years that has left even you stunned?
Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan: There has been a surge in the amount of work that we do on the borders. And this has come top-down. The Government of India over the last 10 years has given tremendous impetus—unparalleled impetus—to the development of border infrastructure, which was hitherto. While we were building roads earlier and had done a remarkable amount of effort, the pace has remarkably improved. We started by playing catch-up, and now we’ve caught up. Many passes have been connected and many heights we’ve surmounted. Some of you are bikers, and you would have gone over the Khardungla Pass, which is at 18,400 feet—something at the level of Everest Base Camp.
Three years ago, we reached Umling La, which is at 19,000 feet. And I think last month, we managed to connect Mig La at 19,400 feet—now this is higher than the Everest Base Camp. These are the kinds of milestones that make you happy and make you feel proud. We have so many achievements that have entered the international records of high-altitude infrastructure development. Somewhere, in eastern Ladakh, we built the Sasarbranksa bridge—over 300 metres in length—in less than 347 days at 15,000 feet over a frozen shore. To say there is one feat is very difficult because there are many. Every sector that we go to, whether it is Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, down to Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur—all the border states, we have significant targets that we have achieved. We know we need to do more and we are geared up to do it.
Q: As I speak to you, I can see pride on your face. You mentioned Ladakh, there is that road that the BRO has built – the Nimu-Padam-Darcha road, now the third alternative from Manali to Leh. How has that been a game-changer?
Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan: For one, it’s going to be the shortest avenue to reach Leh — just 298 kilometres. There is only one major pass that we have to cross, which remains snowbound throughout the year. And as of last year, we had begun work on the Shinkunla Pass; the first blast was done by the Prime Minister himself. We have started work on both portals, so you’ll have a tunnel on the Zanskar Range. Once that happens, you have a clean route all the way to Nimu—30 kilometres from Leh—through the Zanskar Valley, famous for the Chadar Trek in harsh winters, which many adventure enthusiasts go to when they walk across the ice in harsh winters. Connectivity was again established last year. We are on track to complete it by the end of next year. Then, you will have a double-lane road of 298 kilometres. From Manali, instead of the normal route through Upshi, you turn towards Darcha, cross the Shinkunla Tunnel (which will come up in about four years), and then you reach Leh. We started with the Srinagar-Zojila route, then the second route which is the Manali-Upshi route—but that isn’t all-weather; it’s snowbound for six months with six passes on that – that is even more difficult. You need to have all-weather connectivity. Leh is strategically vital and in so many ways important for the country, so we need all-weather, shorter connectivity. The third route is a game-changer.
And that’s not all—we are looking at a fourth route through Taklingla, cleared in consonance with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. We are building Taklingla tunnel, which will join eastern Ladakh directly with Himachal Pradesh.
Q: You make it sound really easy. But building roads at such high altitudes, your tools freeze in some places. How tough is this challenge?
Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan: There’s a saying among those who have worked there: only your greatest enemies and deepest friends will visit you in these areas. Tourists see greenery and meadows in summer, but come November, it’s desolate—high-speed winds you can’t stand against, temperatures of minus 30 to minus 40. Only the local populace and security forces, including the BRO, remain there. You tend to get used to this after working there for 66 years. We have 66 years of institutional history and tradition in these difficult areas—all roads built there have been constructed by BRO. One of the things we have is institutional history, a tradition of working. We pass on the memory of how we worked; we are proud of the work we do ,and we have sustained this hardship generation after generation to be able to make this possible.
Q: When Indians talk about border roads and infrastructure, China’s world-class infra always comes up. How are we matching up and what is the work BRO is doing that we are at par with that construction?
Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan: We have been concentrating on border roads and development of the border areas, but the surge has taken place in the last 10 to 12 years. From the highest level, the government sees border infrastructure sustaining two pillars: security—to reach and sustain forces (roads, bridges, tunnels, airfields)—and so comes economic prosperity. Wherever we build roads, Indian entrepreneurship skills are unmatched. By the time we finish building the road, a tea stall comes up; in the second year, it becomes a restaurant; by the third, it becomes a homestay. This brings employment opportunities and also attracts tourists who also go on to invest. The tourists having come there see business opportunities. They invest over there. There were areas where we used to have migration. In places like Leh, Spiti Valley, Joshimath and Mana, traditionally people living over there would come down during the winters. Now we have a system of reverse migration. As the honourable Prime Minister and Raksha Mantri ji have said, reverse migration is happening—people are willing to stay. We are building tunnels for winter traffic.
Everyone asks this question about China. China is building roads, very good roads — there’s no two ways about that. The second thing is, I as an engineer would say that what China is building in the Tibet Autonomous Region, it is a flat tableland. They don’t have the ascent, deep valley gorges which are normal in the Himalayan region. The Chinese area is in rain shadow. Our border is on the watershed, which by definition means that no moisture is able to cross it. The amount of rainfall and the amount of snow which takes place in Tibet is negligible. It is a desert after all. Building over there is a little easier. That notwithstanding, we bring the best technology from Nagpur, Delhi, Chennai to the borders—rock-cutting, excavation, surfacing of the roads, everything we are looking at to get better in whatever we are doing. BRO engages contractors to enhance capacity; we are the only government agency working departmentally, that has been our forte, but we are empowered by the government for larger contracts. The Ministry of Defence is pushing it. Contractors bring better machinery and technology to get the work done over there. The catch-up is just a question of time. In about three, four or five years, we would have achieved the levels we need to be.
Also Read: ‘India will be infra-ready along China border in 5 years’
Q: That’s a big news point, sir. You’ve recently been in Arunachal Pradesh; the Chief Minister shared photos praising BRO’s work in last-mile connectivity as well as boosting the economic growth of the region you are working on.
Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan: I am very grateful to Shri Pema Khandu, the Honourable Chief Minister, for the kind of support he gives to BRO. We have four chief engineering projects—a major chunk of the 17 in Arunachal—covering from Tawang in the west (bordering Bhutan) to the east (bordering Nagaland). The entire Arunachal Pradesh is covered. The aim is to meet the Army’s needs to see that we reach the border.
Earlier, the Trans-Arunachal Highway was 100–140 km from the border. Now, MORTH has cleared the Arunachal Frontier Highway, 30–40 km from the border, distributed to agencies including NHIDCL and PWD. The central 600 km—the most difficult—is with us. Once parallel to the border, northward connectivity becomes easier. Arunachal’s support—forest clearances, land acquisition, setting up stations, project clearances—has been phenomenal. They are hands-on.
Infrastructure is the game-changer for all border states—Arunachal, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh. They understand roads bring prosperity. We employ 70,000–80,000 local people annually. The government empowers us to hire local labour; there’s symbiosis—we cannot work without them. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has said casual paid labour is part and parcel of BRO. I agree—without their support, we would not have achieved much. They are hardworking, they work year-round in the most difficult areas, take the same risks, and know the terrain. Each one of the border states has understood the economic opportunity, the upscaling that happens with road infrastructure.
Q: The BRO has also been working in Bhutan. You reviewed projects there recently. What has been the progress like?
Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan: It was a great honour. I called on His Majesty the King, the Honourable Prime Minister, and various government officials. They have the greatest regard for India’s support and friendship. Both the Army and BRO have deep linkages with Bhutan.
I don’t know if you’ve read the autobiography of His Excellency Tshering Tobgay, Bhutan’s Prime Minister. He grew up in Kalimpong; there were no roads in Bhutan then—they used to take three-day trips on ponies or mules. His mother was employed with BRO. All roads—from Phuentsholing to Thimphu, east-west connectivity, Paro airfield, communications buildings—were built by BRO. We have great affection, and work continues.
Q: What’s the progress on the Indo-Myanmar border and in the Left-Wing Extremism-affected areas of Chhattisgarh?
Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan: These are two different things. The Ministry of Home Affairs clearly enunciated the policy to fence the Myanmar border to prevent inimical elements from crossing over. These sparsely populated areas have no approaches. BRO was tasked to build the entire fence—1,300 km over 10 years. We work under the MHA with clear directions from Shri Amit Shah ji and security from the Assam Rifles. Despite issues, we began this year—15 km is completed; we hope to complete over 35 km in the working period in Manipur this season; we also plan to start work in Arunachal.
On Left-Wing Extremism: security forces—CRPF, ITBP, Chhattisgarh police—have combated Naxals in Bijapur in southern Chhattisgarh, a stronghold. Last year, we were asked to connect various company operating bases which were set up by the security forces in Chhattisgarh. Initially, we had to build 40 kms of road: we have completed cutting; surfacing will be done soon. Additional roads have also been allocated. A major credit goes to the security forces for the phenomenal work done in difficult areas. Building infrastructure in areas where no roads existed wins hearts and minds, bringing locals to the mainstream. The security forces have done a phenomenal job in such difficult areas.
Q: One part of your job is national security; another is responding to natural calamities. You’ve handled cloudbursts in Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir recently. What does it take to save lives and restore connectivity fast?
Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan: It’s a good question. We are the only government agency in border areas with departmental capability—detachments all along the roads with machinery, trained manpower, and dumped material. When disaster strikes, road connectivity is cut first; stranded people need evacuation. We restore connectivity. Remember the Silkyara tunnel cave-in a year and a half ago—multiple agencies were involved and we played our part.
Earlier this year, an avalanche hit our workforce – the Army, NDRF, and we responded—an inter-governmental approach. In difficult areas, everyone gets together seamlessly with all agencies and state governments. There are no barriers. We borrowed equipment from Uttarakhand on a District Collector’s order. We do the same when called—we are there, able to respond. We establish connectivity, rescue people, clear snowbound areas— this is traditionally our role.
Q: There’s the human element, but also technology. What latest tech are you using—drones, AI?
Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan: Definitely. Engineering has planning and execution. For planning a road from A to B, we recce, fix sustainable alignment—least bridges, cut-fill, avoiding avalanche/landslide zones. Traditionally, reconnaissance teams went physically. Now, drones undertake surveys, geo-sensing is used for accurate geo-maps—everything is streamlined, is faster and more accurate. As regards materials, no other place has Northeast-like rainfall or north-like minus-40°C temperature extremes. We worked with CSIR on innovative tech. Rejupe mix allows bitumen work at lower temperatures (earlier solidified en route). We are using steel slag (steel industry waste) as aggregate—no stones are used in the Northeast. We use more modular precast work, so you don’t have to construct there—build in Pathankot/Jammu/Srinagar, transport to Ladakh/Uttarakhand, fix on site.
Another aspect we are trying to focus on is the slope stabilisation. Himalayan geology is fragile—young mountains, heavy rain/snow, high seismic zone, wind, rockfall, avalanches, landslides. We work with best companies. A key project to be completed in 15 days is the 400-metre cut-and-cover tunnel on Daulat Beg Oldie Road—avalanches will slide over. They will protect the road from avalanches. We bring the best construction equipment to the borders— that means, if available in Mumbai, it reaches Ladakh, Arunachal, and Sikkim. It’s constantly evolving, thanks to policy incentives. The sky is the limit for capability development. That is a game-changer.
If the government says it needs to be done, we are going to support you. We don’t ask questions like “Do you really need this modern equipment? You got it last year — do you need more this year?” That’s not what they say. In fact, they urge us to get better and more modern equipment. They encourage us to procure more tools. There is no paucity of funds.
This kind of support provides a huge impetus — it drives technological growth and encourages innovation, especially in border areas. Many from academia and the R&D industry have come forward with unique solutions. For example, when we need to clear snow from roads, often you can’t even see the road — it’s just a sheet of snow. The operator must be extremely careful not to tip over into the valley, which may be 40–50 feet deep and filled with snow.
We have worked with companies to geotag waypoints, allowing snow-clearing machinery to stay accurately on the road. These are very specific challenges, but both industry and academia have risen to the occasion. Together, we’ve found ways forward.
Q: Are you also looking at using climate-friendly materials for this?
Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan: Yes, that is something we are actively doing. Environmental protection is mandatory in all border areas. We are not allowed to use bitumen in these regions because it harms the environment and disturbs wildlife.
In such areas — especially those designated as wildlife reserves or protected forests — we use interlocking blocks instead. Initially, the quality of the paver blocks was not strong enough to handle heavy military traffic. But we kept improving, and now we have very high-quality interlocking blocks. We’ve used these even in tough locations like the Sasarla Sasa Branga Pass, where roads traditionally got washed away. Now, with these blocks in place, we have all-weather roads throughout the year.
Q: What is one project you are most excited about personally for 2026?
Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan: As I said earlier, we’d be truly delighted to complete the Nimu–Padam–Darcha Road, which has been on the anvil for a long time and is very challenging. I would really urge everyone to travel on this road — it’s one of the most exciting journeys you can make anywhere in the world.
You travel along the Zanskar River for about 70–80 kilometers on a sheer rock wall. You’ll even see ancient rock paintings and wonder who made them and lived there. This road will open up a truly fascinating part of our country.
By 2026, we also hope to have made substantial progress on the Shinkun La Tunnel and complete the first year of work on the Arunachal Frontier Highway. We will have connected more passes in Uttarakhand.
Every year, we construct roughly 1,100–1,300 kilometers of roads — small by plains standards, but extraordinary considering these are at altitudes of 10,000–14,000 feet, often through gorges and steep terrain.
Most importantly, the people living in border areas show tremendous affection and warmth toward us. They truly understand what a road means — access to schools, banks, healthcare, and a better life. So, while it’s hard to pick one project, every road we build changes lives.
Q. You’ve mentioned the humour on the BRO signages. Who writes those witty lines we see along mountain roads?
Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan: (Laughs) Yes, we in the Border Roads Organisation have a great sense of humour! The easiest way to be brave is to believe that no challenge exists — and that’s reflected in those signs.
They’re written by our young men and women working out there in the harshest conditions. The creativity is all theirs. We don’t interfere — it’s up to the company commander or platoon commander on the ground. Every time I travel, I see something new and it lifts everyone’s spirits. It keeps the organisation motivated and keeps travellers smiling.
Q: You work in some of the most inhospitable conditions. How do your men live and work there?
Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan: We have heated containers that serve as living shelters, and we provide specialised clothing, including gloves, crampons, and other safety gear. We follow strict standard operating procedures and conduct daily safety briefings.
A medical attendant is always present at each site, and we have evacuation systems ready for emergencies. Despite all precautions, conditions remain very harsh — and yes, we do lose people. But our personnel are incredibly brave and determined. Their courage keeps the organisation going.
Q: You have both defence personnel and civilians working together. How do you keep the team motivated?
Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan: The BRO is a great example of combining the military’s mission-oriented work ethic with civilian innovation and technological expertise.
Our motto, “Shramena Sarvam Sadhyam” — through hard work, anything is possible — defines us. In the 1960s, we built the road to Chang La in eastern Ladakh, where the Battle of Chushul was fought. That project’s motto, “Beacon Ble Changla”, still inspires us.
We have a strong tradition of teamwork. For example, if a road is blocked by a landslide, our teams don’t return to base until connectivity is restored. Everyone takes ownership — it’s not just about building roads, it’s about owning them.
Q: You work around the clock in the most difficult terrain. How do you find time for yourself?
Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan: (Smiles) I’m a passionate golfer — though a very poor one! Lately, I haven’t played much due to our commitments. I also enjoy writing — whenever I find time, I write a few pages of my next novel.
Work keeps me energized. There’s constant camaraderie — we spend our days finding solutions, working faster, working smarter. It’s challenging, but deeply satisfying. It keeps you happy.
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