Border Roads Organization (BRO): I am a Fan
Border Roads Organization (BRO) Signboard: Yumthang Valley, Sikkim
I am a big fan Border Roads Organization (BRO). What do they do? As the name suggests, they maintain the roads that are on the border that India has with other countries. And that means tough job.
With a humble beginning, with just two Projects – Project Tusker (renamed Project Vartak ) in the East at Tezpur and Project Beacon in the West at Srinagar, the BRO as a result oriented Organisation, producing quality work, with little time or cost overrun, even in the most adverse conditions of working, grew from strength to strength over the last four decades, to be a vast and vibrant Organisation with thirteen Chief Engineer Projects spread across the length and breath of the country, operating in 22 States including the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Seven Chief Engineer Projects located in the North East, three in J & K, one in Himachal Pradesh / Uttaranchal and the balance in Western and Central India.
The first thing that brought them on my radar was their ubiquitouss yellow sings all along the Manali-Leh road and Ladakh. Then a read a very moving piece about BRO written by Vikrum in 2006.
This time in Sikkim, I was actively seeking their presence and the project there is called Project Dantak. I am sure they have a huge role to play for military but what I know them for and remember them for is keeping the mountain roads safe and accessible for people like me who love going there.
I also identify with what Ubermensch writes about BRO:
Somehow as you manage through a bumpy ride on one unhealthy segment of a longish curve with its metalling worn out off the road, you are greeted to a better maintained segment with a board which readsInconvenience is Regretted, BRO.
In a nation that is India, to find such a courteous signboard here, in this desolate corner, at an altitude of 15000 feet or so above the sea level under such rough conditions melts your heart away. As they say great deeds go into history books but its the smaller gestures that find their place in the heart.
posted by Mridula at 4:33 PM
8 Comments:
Nice write up Mridula. Agree with you, at that high altitude if one gets a welcome sign or a gesture.. there is nothing like it.
I experienced it on way to Kulu. They do take care of roads and surroundings.
I am glad you liked the write up Cuckoo.
Good work they are doing. I can imagine the hardships. And sure they are not getting their bit of credit as usual in our country. Good to know they are doing the good work as far as Andaman and Nicobar islands. Have you been there too?
Not yet Ketan, not yet, but have to go there, it has been recommended by none other than my thesis supervisor!
Worlds First second third fourth fifth sixth highest motorable passes, all happen to be in India and operational in accessible times of the year ... the valleys are habited and open for tourists .. well all this is true because of BRO .....
It was a great experience when we crossed all those passes on our motor-bikes ........ so damn good
Madhur, have you written about your motor-bike trip? Must have been quite an adventure! If you have written about it please give me a link.
Excellent roads, my hats off to BRO as well...in Arunachal, the roads were very good
Backpakker, so this is another incentive for me to think of going to Arunachal. I think I always keep planning vacations.
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