‘Could have done much more but opted for restrained response’
DM inaugurates 125 infra projects from Leh in different States/UTs
Projects reflect Centre’s commitment to Ladakh’s progress: Kavinder
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Dec 7: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today said the world knows what our Armed Forces did to the terrorists during Operation Sindoor executed in response to heinous terror attack at Pahalgam in the Kashmir valley. He asserted that the Armed Forces could have done much more but deliberately opted for restrained response.
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Addressing after inaugurating 125 infrastructure projects by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in different parts of the country, including Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh UT, from Shyok in Leh district of Ladakh this morning, Rajnath said in response to Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian Armed Forces executed the Operation Sindoor and the world knows what they did to the terrorists.
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Operation Sindoor was conducted between May 7-10 deep inside Pakistan and PoJK by the Indian Armed Forces in which large number of terrorists were killed and terror camps and military installations were destroyed. The operation was conducted in response to April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 persons including 25 tourists were killed.
“The Armed Forces could have done much more but deliberately opted for restrained response and did what was necessary. Our forces demonstrated not only valour but also restraint,” Rajnath said.
Asserting that coordination witnessed among the Armed Forces, civil administration and the border people during Operation Sindoor was incredible, the Defence Minister said that such a massive operation was feasible due to strong connectivity as our forces were able to deliver logistics right on time.
“Connectivity with the border areas was also maintained, giving Operation Sindoor its historic success. I express my gratitude to every citizen of Ladakh as well as the border areas for extending their support to our armed forces,” he said and stressed that better connectivity, especially in border areas, made the successful military operation possible.
“Our continuous endeavour has been to strengthen our communication and connectivity with all border areas, including Ladakh. We are fully committed to the overall development of each border area,” Rajnath, who also inaugurated Shyok tunnel in Leh, said.
The projects inaugurated by the Defence Minister were built at a cost of Rs 5,000 crore and spread across the Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir, and seven States including Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Mizoram — consisted of 28 roads, 93 bridges and four miscellaneous works. The event marked the largest single-day and highest-value inauguration in the history of BRO.
Asserting that improved connectivity in the border areas is transforming security in multiple ways and enabling troops to operate more effectively in difficult terrains, Rajnath Singh said today our soldiers stand strong in difficult terrains because they have access to roads, real-time communication systems, satellite support, surveillance networks, and logistics connectivity.
“Improved connectivity is not only strengthening security and infrastructure but also driving economic growth,” he added.
Citing the 8.2 per cent GDP expansion in the second quarter of 2025-26, Singh said stronger communication and connectivity networks have been a key enabler, supported by the Government’s pro-growth policies and nationwide reforms. He also highlighted the growth in India’s defence manufacturing sector, noting that production has risen from Rs 46,000 crore in 2014 to a record Rs 1.51 lakh crore, and the country that was import-dependent has emerged as a producer-exporter.
“Our defence exports, which were less than Rs 1,000 crore 10 years ago, have now reached nearly Rs 24,000 crore. Due to sustained efforts over the last decade, India has witnessed paradigm shift as it once lacked a robust system to manufacture arms and equipment domestically,” the Defence Minister said and called the 125 newly completed projects of the BRO a “vivid example” of the Government’s commitment to bolstering India’s border infrastructure.
Emphasizing that stronger border connectivity not only fortifies security, but also stabilizes local economies, enhances disaster response — as seen during rescue operations after cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir’s Chasoti — and strengthens people’s faith in governance in remote regions, Singh praised the BRO for consistently finishing projects ahead of schedule and adopting new technologies aligned with the Government’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).
He made special mention of BRO’s adoption of Class-70 modular bridges indigenously developed in partnership with Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) vision. He also pointed out that in the financial year 2024-25, BRO incurred a record expenditure of Rs 16,690 crore, the highest ever, and a target of Rs 18,700 crore has been set for FY 2025-26, which underlines the Government’s confidence in BRO’s capabilities.
Rajnath said border roads are the “lifelines of national security” and improved connectivity has a direct impact on operational readiness. He added that enhanced road networks, real-time communication systems and satellite-based surveillance are now allowing Indian soldiers to operate with greater speed and precision in forward areas.
He added that the armed forces, BRO personnel, and citizens of border areas together form a collective shield of national security and urged that their bond must continue to grow.
Rajnath asserted that the 920-metre Shyok Tunnel, constructed along the Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie Road in Ladakh, is an engineering marvel that will provide all-weather connectivity to one of the most difficult military terrains in the world. The tunnel, he said, will sharply enhance mobility, logistics delivery and rapid deployment capability, particularly during harsh winters marked by heavy snowfall and avalanches.
“Our brave soldiers in the armed forces and all BRO employees are continuously working for the country. The spirit you have to work in any weather, in any situation, is why our country is continuously touching new heights,” he said.
In the last two years, 356 BRO infrastructure projects have been dedicated to the nation, marking a benchmark achievement in strategic infrastructure development.
The execution of these projects in such diverse and challenging regions highlights BRO’s unmatched capability to operate in high-altitude, snowbound, desert, flood-prone and dense forest terrains.
The successful construction of modular bridges at several forward locations is a powerful example of how indigenous technology is transforming infrastructure in border areas. These bridges, completely designed and manufactured in India, mark a significant milestone in India’s engineering self-reliance.” The Government has enhanced the BRO budget from Rs 6,500 crore to Rs 7,146 crore in the Union Budget 2025-26 in recognition of its critical role in national security and development.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Kavinder Gupta today said that the new infrastructure projects completed by the BRO in Ladakh reflected the Central Government’s firm commitment to progress of the Union Territory.
Addressing after inauguration of 125 strategically significant infrastructure projects by Rajnath Singh, Kavinder said these upgraded infrastructure projects will significantly improve last-mile connectivity to remote villages and forward military locations, bringing these areas closer to the national mainstream.
He lauded the nationwide inauguration of the projects, including 41 projects completed in Ladakh. He called it a “historic milestone” in the region’s development.
“The new projects will significantly improve connectivity, accelerate economic activity, and ensure reliable access to border areas that were earlier cut off for months,” he said.
Gupta also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Defence Minister for “prioritizing the rapid and balanced growth” of Ladakh.
Acknowledging the BRO’s exceptional work in extreme conditions, the LG Ladakh highlighted key achievements, including the cut-and-cover tunnel on the Durbuk-Shyok-DBO Road, ensuring all-weather connectivity, the world’s highest multi-span Saser Brangsa Bridge, the Nimoo-Padum-Darcha Road, offering Ladakh its third and shortest route, and the operationalisation of the high-altitude Mudh-Nyoma airfield, a strategic asset for national security.
He said the BRO’s projects have also boosted tourism, with routes such as Mahe-Chushul and Mahe-Debring improving access to Pangong, Chushul, and Tso Moriri, thereby supporting adventure and eco-tourism.
Calling Ladakh a symbol of India’s spirit and beauty, Kavinder urged citizens across the country to visit the region at least once to experience its natural grandeur, cultural purity, and inspiring border heritage – now more accessible than ever due to BRO’s network of world-class roads.
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