Pune: Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik on Thursday said that strategic road projects along the India-China border will be completed within the deadlines. He was the chief guest for the annual Chief Engineers’ conference at General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) Centre, Dighi camp.

The Director-General Border Roads, Additional Director Generals, senior officials of Defence Accounts Services and Chief Engineers of all projects attended the two-day conference on Wednesday and Thursday. The conference provided a forum for discussion on critical issues including an assessment of performance. 

On the occasion, Naik said, “Security needs of the country demand faster construction of strategic roads including Indo-China Border Roads and General Staff priority roads. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has certain challenges due to terrain, climate and other factors, but I am happy that the BRO has overcome all challenges successfully and has enhanced the pace of construction by adopting new technologies as per latest trends in national as well as international arena.”

He released the BRO technical magazine ‘Oonchi Sadakein’ and acknowledged the targets achieved in connectivity development and rescue efforts during natural calamities. The conference also saw presentation of Best Task Force and Best Road Trophy.

According to BRO officials, the organisation has commenced work on Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh and four-laning of Jammu-Akhnoor Road this year. The work on the Rohtang Tunnel is proceeding at a fast pace. A pre-stressed concrete box girder-type bridge over Diffo river on Roing-Koronu-Paya Road in Arunachal Pradesh under Project Udayak was inaugurated earlier by Naik.