In a significant move to boost connectivity in the remote areas of the Northeast, Union defence minister Rajnath Singh dedicated 20 km long Kimin-Potin road to the nation in a programme held at Kimin “at Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border” on June 17.
Stating that the Northeast, surrounded by five foreign countries, is geographically unique, Rajnath Singh said that from the defence point of view, the region is sensitive.
He further said that for a long period the region experienced the challenges of insurgency, arms and narcotics smuggling among others.
While appreciating Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for the critical role it has been playing in facilitating connectivity boost up in border areas, the union minister said that this organisation is endowed with enormous capabilities. Its role in nation-building is also immense, he added.
Attended the inaugural function of the road projects constructed by BRO in the North East. The roads inaugurated today hold strategic and socio-economic importance as they will play an important role in strengthening national security and development. https://t.co/U9bj5153eS pic.twitter.com/LT7DrQOrKJ
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) June 17, 2021
Whether it is security alertness or helping in the time of disasters, BRO has always been playing its role. The 12 roads inaugurated today would facilitate the smooth movement of material and manpower for the armed forces. He termed the improvement in communication infrastructure at the border areas as initiatives under the Act East Policy.
Saying that India has never shown aggressive intent against any country, the Union defence minister strongly asserted that the country would not tolerate any misadventures towards its integrity and sovereignty from other nations. Rajnath Singh also said that under PM Narendra Modi’s leadership a lot of reforms have been brought in the defence sector while all three defence forces have been brought under a unified structure with the creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
India would soon able to export weapons and defence equipment to other countries apart from becoming self-reliant to fulfil its own requirement as a lot of steps have been taken in this regard, he said.
On the occasion, Rajnath Singh also virtually inaugurated nine other roads built in Arunachal Pradesh and one road each in the union territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir. These roads were constructed by Border Roads Organisation (BRO). The roads in Arunachal Pradesh were constructed under Vartak, Arunank, Brahmank and Udayak projects.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, his Arunachal Pradesh counterpart Pema Khandu along with union minister of sports and youth affairs (independent charge) Kiren Rijiju were also present in the programme.