Thread.
1. This interview of the DG BRO from sometime back. The DG talks about the DS-Shyok-DBO road which is the centerpiece of current #GalwanValley standoff between India and China. The importance of the road is nicely summed up by the DG by mentioning that the Road would
1. This interview of the DG BRO from sometime back. The DG talks about the DS-Shyok-DBO road which is the centerpiece of current #GalwanValley standoff between India and China. The importance of the road is nicely summed up by the DG by mentioning that the Road would
Allow reaching DBO from Leh in mere 6hrs, cutting down from current 2-day long journey. DBO is otherwise accessible only via Air and given its high altitude and consequent payload restrictions and the semi-prepared runway means each sortie has lesser effectiveness. Hence the road
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connectivity is very important. It is no wonder why the DS-DBO road is one of the foremost priorities of BRO along with few other projects like the Atal Tunnel allowing year-round access to Leh, the Road to Mansarover (just recently completed) and so on. And why China is not
connectivity is very important. It is no wonder why the DS-DBO road is one of the foremost priorities of BRO along with few other projects like the Atal Tunnel allowing year-round access to Leh, the Road to Mansarover (just recently completed) and so on. And why China is not
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so very happy with India building this road. The Chinese supply lines are quite extended over the entire Tibetian plateau. While the Atal Tunnel and DS-DBO road will shorten and strengthen the already relatively short supply lines on the Indian side.
so very happy with India building this road. The Chinese supply lines are quite extended over the entire Tibetian plateau. While the Atal Tunnel and DS-DBO road will shorten and strengthen the already relatively short supply lines on the Indian side.
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Other important details include the strong push from Modi govt on building the Border Infrastructure, correcting decades long neglect by GOI on this strategic matter which cannot be overemphasized. The BRO budget has gone up from 4000Cr to 11000Cr per yr in last 5yrs. Not only
Other important details include the strong push from Modi govt on building the Border Infrastructure, correcting decades long neglect by GOI on this strategic matter which cannot be overemphasized. The BRO budget has gone up from 4000Cr to 11000Cr per yr in last 5yrs. Not only
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that, due to an integrated push on Infrastructure development from Civilian perspective as well, BRO is able to leverage funding from other orgs like Transport Ministry or Indian Railways as well. Remember, apart from the strategic infra, the BRO built roads also provide
that, due to an integrated push on Infrastructure development from Civilian perspective as well, BRO is able to leverage funding from other orgs like Transport Ministry or Indian Railways as well. Remember, apart from the strategic infra, the BRO built roads also provide
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connectivity to the remotest part of India and to the Citizens there who were hitherto neglected mostly, especially in the NE. And in such areas there is no Pvt investment, BRO is the only entity working there. So there are dual benefits from increased BRO budget.
connectivity to the remotest part of India and to the Citizens there who were hitherto neglected mostly, especially in the NE. And in such areas there is no Pvt investment, BRO is the only entity working there. So there are dual benefits from increased BRO budget.
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There is a significant improvement in the output from BRO due to the modernisation they have seen and the leaner working style they are adopting. BRO works in some of World's most challenging terrain. So technology is very important. I am sure, if the current pace in continued
There is a significant improvement in the output from BRO due to the modernisation they have seen and the leaner working style they are adopting. BRO works in some of World's most challenging terrain. So technology is very important. I am sure, if the current pace in continued
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for a decade, we would see a complete transformation of our border areas from Civil as well as Strategic perspective.
The implications on the Mil side cannot be overstated. Its probably the greatest force-multiplier for the IA, especially given the difficult terrain. Better
for a decade, we would see a complete transformation of our border areas from Civil as well as Strategic perspective.
The implications on the Mil side cannot be overstated. Its probably the greatest force-multiplier for the IA, especially given the difficult terrain. Better
accessibility to the border areas can allow rapid redeployment of existing Infantry and bring in superior/heavier Armour and Artillery support. Enhanced mobility means overall smaller Force can manage a larger Border area more effectively. This is important, especially when
9. the IA is staring at an inevitable transformation towards becoming a leaner and meaner force, with better teeth-to-tail ratio. In such scenario increased mechanization is imperative to maintain or even enhance the capabilities of the Force with reduced mainpower.
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It becomes especially important in Mountains where numbers really matter. Without good border road/rail infrastructure enabling the Mechanization, its futile to even think about offseting manpower with increased mechanisation. So the infra build up is important
It becomes especially important in Mountains where numbers really matter. Without good border road/rail infrastructure enabling the Mechanization, its futile to even think about offseting manpower with increased mechanisation. So the infra build up is important
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from the perspective of rationalization of IA manpower and overall Defense budget in long term.
The clear push being given by the Modi Govt since 2014 has already started showing fruits in reducing the disparity of the border infra between India and China. For example,
from the perspective of rationalization of IA manpower and overall Defense budget in long term.
The clear push being given by the Modi Govt since 2014 has already started showing fruits in reducing the disparity of the border infra between India and China. For example,
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the India-China Border Road project which was approved by the CCS in 1999, proposed 73 roads in India-China border region spanning from Ladakh to AP. While 12 road projects were given to Central PWD, the BRO was entrusted with 61 roads totaling 3409km. The whole project was
the India-China Border Road project which was approved by the CCS in 1999, proposed 73 roads in India-China border region spanning from Ladakh to AP. While 12 road projects were given to Central PWD, the BRO was entrusted with 61 roads totaling 3409km. The whole project was
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Supposed to have finished by 2006 or so, but in reality, only 12 roads were completed by 2012 and another 7 roads were completed by 2016. As mentioned earlier, BRO's budget stagnated at about 4000Cr/yr between 2009 to 2016. But under the new 5-yr Long Term Roll-on Work Plan
Supposed to have finished by 2006 or so, but in reality, only 12 roads were completed by 2012 and another 7 roads were completed by 2016. As mentioned earlier, BRO's budget stagnated at about 4000Cr/yr between 2009 to 2016. But under the new 5-yr Long Term Roll-on Work Plan
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for 2015-2020 (LTRoWP), considerable structural changes were brought about in the BRO. These changes have accelerated the Border road infra work on the China border. By now the envisaged India-China Border Road project is quite close to completion. Once this is completed,
for 2015-2020 (LTRoWP), considerable structural changes were brought about in the BRO. These changes have accelerated the Border road infra work on the China border. By now the envisaged India-China Border Road project is quite close to completion. Once this is completed,
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Second phase is expected to kick start.
Now what changes have helped BRO to improve its output in timely manner..? Following steps were taken post 2014.
- A comprehensive plan of 852 border roads is prepared totalling to 30118 km for construction/improvement/maintenance.
Second phase is expected to kick start.
Now what changes have helped BRO to improve its output in timely manner..? Following steps were taken post 2014.
- A comprehensive plan of 852 border roads is prepared totalling to 30118 km for construction/improvement/maintenance.
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- Of these, 530 roads of strategic importance were prioritized in the LTRoWP 2015-20 totalling 22803 km for construction/improvement with inputs from the Indian Army.
- as mentioned earlier, BRO collaborates with other Ministries such as IR, MHA, MEA and receive funding from
- Of these, 530 roads of strategic importance were prioritized in the LTRoWP 2015-20 totalling 22803 km for construction/improvement with inputs from the Indian Army.
- as mentioned earlier, BRO collaborates with other Ministries such as IR, MHA, MEA and receive funding from
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them for some of the work. But MoD is doing the heavy lifting considering the strategic importance of the border roads. 20,211 km roads in 485 packages out of above 530 were planned from the MoD alone to be funded at avg 6700/yr. Remember earlier total BRO funding was ~4000Cr
them for some of the work. But MoD is doing the heavy lifting considering the strategic importance of the border roads. 20,211 km roads in 485 packages out of above 530 were planned from the MoD alone to be funded at avg 6700/yr. Remember earlier total BRO funding was ~4000Cr
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- A major shift in BRO work Philosophy was brought about. Earlier BRO used to work on small small work pakages of many road projects at a time, leaving multiple projects unfinished for long time. This also limited the possibility of outsourcing as only small players would
- A major shift in BRO work Philosophy was brought about. Earlier BRO used to work on small small work pakages of many road projects at a time, leaving multiple projects unfinished for long time. This also limited the possibility of outsourcing as only small players would
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Come for small work packages. In that also, only particular work was alowed for out sourcing. It was decided to change this way of working. BRO would now focus on entire road packages based on priority with lesser projects open at a time. Entire road projects are now allowed
Come for small work packages. In that also, only particular work was alowed for out sourcing. It was decided to change this way of working. BRO would now focus on entire road packages based on priority with lesser projects open at a time. Entire road projects are now allowed
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to be outsourced on turnkey basis. This allows bigger players to bid and bring better construction technology with them. Also improves the efficiency and timely delivery.
- BRO's own internal manpower was rationalised and more efficiency was brought in. This, together with
to be outsourced on turnkey basis. This allows bigger players to bid and bring better construction technology with them. Also improves the efficiency and timely delivery.
- BRO's own internal manpower was rationalised and more efficiency was brought in. This, together with
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Improved outsourcing, enabled BRO to do much more work with same available capacity within BRO.
- The salary budget of BRO was delinked from the Construction budget approval as earlier only about half the portion of total budget was remaining for actual construction activity
Improved outsourcing, enabled BRO to do much more work with same available capacity within BRO.
- The salary budget of BRO was delinked from the Construction budget approval as earlier only about half the portion of total budget was remaining for actual construction activity
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- DG BRO was given more administrative and financial autonomy. For ex DG can clear acquisition worth 100Cr now on his own, whereas earlier this limit was only 7.5Cr for Domestic and 3Cr for Import purchase.
These & many more such changes has vastly improved the productivity
- DG BRO was given more administrative and financial autonomy. For ex DG can clear acquisition worth 100Cr now on his own, whereas earlier this limit was only 7.5Cr for Domestic and 3Cr for Import purchase.
These & many more such changes has vastly improved the productivity
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of BRO. BRO is building much more road, at higher pace, better efficiency and in time bound manner.
The border infra is further buttressed by the overall National infra which again is a major focus for Modi Govt. Give a decade and this frantic pace of infra build up will
of BRO. BRO is building much more road, at higher pace, better efficiency and in time bound manner.
The border infra is further buttressed by the overall National infra which again is a major focus for Modi Govt. Give a decade and this frantic pace of infra build up will
completely change the face of border infra along the entire Chinese border and remove the disparity we have with China in this matter. This will definitely have far-flung impact on the strategic balance on the India-China border in India's favour.
