Serving the Nation with Par Excellence Road Infra and Developmental Initiatives
Lt. Gen. Rajeev Chaudhry VSM
Director General
Border Roads Org.
Nation’s most reputed, multifaceted, transnational, modern construction organisation committed to meeting the strategic needs of the armed forces with enlightened leadership, a strong, skilled and committed work force, a well ingrained value system and a strong environment conscience. Playing a national role in socio economic development through its large scale contribution to infrastructure development. Lt. Gen. Rajeev Chaudhry VSM, Director General, Border Roads Organisation in conversation with CE&CR, gives insight on various successful and ongoing projects, challenges and mitigation strategies and much more.
CE&CR: With back to back noteworthy infra projects being commissioned with you being at the helm; tell us about the success stories of a few of them.
Lt. Gen. Rajeev Chaudhry: Today, we are a premier organization playing a vital role in infrastructure development in the most treacherous terrains and climatically harsh regions of the country and regarded as a symbol of nation building and national integration.
The “Umling La Pass” located at a distance of 15 km from the LAC lying in the beautiful Indus Valley between Chisumle and Demchok villages in Ladakh, is now the “World’s Highest Motorable Pass”. BRO has recently constructed a 52 km long tarmac road through Umling La Pass at 19024 ft. In comparison, this road has been constructed at an altitude higher than the Mt. Everest Base Camps as the South Base Camp in Nepal is at an altitude of 17,598 ft, while North Base Camp in Tibet is at 16,900 ft. The road is much above the altitude of Siachen Glacier which is at 17,700 ft and supersedes the Khardung La Pass in Leh, at an altitude of 17,582 ft. The road has been recognised as World’s Highest Road by Guinness World Records on 16 Nov 2021.
In recent times, BRO has acquired niche capabilities in constructing tunnels at high altitude mountains. We recently completed three tunnels, out of which Atal Tunnel, Rohtang of length 9.02 km was dedicated to the Nation by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 03 Oct 2020. This is the longest tunnel in the world above 10,000 ft altitude and has been officially certified by World Book of Records on 09 Feb 2022. We have also finished the Chamba Tunnel underneath the busy Chamba town on Rishikesh-Dharasu road. In addition to this, the work is progressing at full pace on Sela and Nechiphu tunnels in Arunachal Pradesh, which are also being constructed at super high altitudes.
We have also constructed 19 airfields till date and presently work is in progress on two major strategic airfield projects at Bagdogra and Barrackpore.
BRO has also constructed a 140 ft Double Lane Modular Bridge of load Class-70 at an altitude of 11000 ft on Flaghill-Dokala Road in Sikkim which has been developed by GRSE as part of Aatma-Nirbhar Bharat at a much lower cost around 1/3rd of the cost of imported bridge and is a part of Hon’ble Prime Minister’s Make in India initiative and the Government’s resolution to provide faster connectivity in border areas. It was launched by BRO in just two months despite freezing conditions and high altitude effects. As a result of its successful completion, BRO and GRSE Ltd. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 15 March 2022 for two-years for fabrication, supply and launching of 27 doublelane galvanised modular bridges of 7.5 m carriageway with IRC Load Class-70.
Last year, a record 102 infrastructure projects executed by BRO in a single working season had been dedicated to the Nation. This year we plan to dedicate 120 projects to the nation. We want to create world class infrastructure for our forces and other road users and with correct engineering practices within the deadlines.
CE&CR: Recently Defence Ministry inaugurated a BRO Tourism Portal to promote tourism in border areas. What is this idea of guided tours to the road infrastructure projects of BRO?
Lt. Gen. Rajeev Chaudhry: The Atal Tunnel has all modern facilities required for a highway tunnel and is comparable to any tunnel of European standards. The tunnel was dedicated to the nation by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 03 Oct 2020. During the inauguration of the Tunnel, the Hon’ble Prime Minister was of the opinion that the engineering, planning and construction of a tunnel should be shared with the technical institutes and the engineering students. To provide them best of the information and on the site knowledge, we have started with BRO Tourism Portal. The BRO tourism website www.marvels.bro.gov.in was inaugurated by Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh on 24 March 2022. The website will enable online booking of guided tours to the road infrastructure projects constructed by the BRO. At present we have started this website with Atal Tunnel, Rohtang. However, in future we will be including more such engineering marvels constructed by BRO on the website. This will help the students and visitors to gain technical understanding and also the challenges faced during the construction of these projects. This in turn will also give boost to tourism in the area.
CE&CR: Please elaborate on the construction challenges faced and its mitigation strategies during the construction of the World’s Highest Motorable Road at Umling-La Pass.
Lt. Gen. Rajeev Chaudhry: Constructing a road at such altitudes and harsh terrain has been technically, mentally, and physically challenging. This being a single lane road and with no other roads/tracks available, the deployment of resources itself became a challenge. The harsh climate with approx 60% lesser Oxygen than MSL and extremely low temperatures takes its toll on human body and even machines.
Umling La Road reaches an altitude up to 5,882 m (19,300 ft). Road construction at such high altitudes drains the body as well as the mind. The harsh climate has indeed taken a toll on BRO workers, who had suffered bouts of nose bleeding, dizziness, high BP and at times were gasping for breath during construction.
They have braved death that can happen due to Pulmonary Oedema and Cerebral Oedema.
Even the machines are not left untouched and work at only 40-50% efficiency. Moreover, 4x2 tippers/dumpers are unable to ply at such altitudes with full loads. Besides, the working period is very short i.e., from May to mid September only. Another challenging factor was that approximately 20 km of the total stretch passes through areas with hard rock profile.
Every mile of the road involved engineering ingenuity and great human endurance. Due to the altitude and climate prevalent in general area Chisumle-Umling La-Demchok, the period available for construction activities is extremely small (May-September). As all four layers (NFSSB, CSB, DBM and BC) lie completely above 18000 ft, it had to be carried out in this short period. This necessitated deployment of large amount of resources and manpower. To ensure that the road remains strong and retains its smooth driveability throughout its design life, it had to be ensured that the pavement is free of the effects of heaving and thawing. Accordingly, layer composition here, was chosen as Non-Frost Susceptible Sub Base (NFSSB). This has increased the longevity of the road.
Also, the flexible pavements constructed under such adverse weather conditions, with limited working season to undertake normal concreting activity, primarily restricted to summer season, demand special attention and practical methods to minimize the detrimental effects of extreme cold weather on the long-term performance of the road.
The effects of adverse climatic conditions on human body was obviated by a smart rotation scheme especially for the labourers where in a working cycle was devised incorporating two days of working at altitudes more than 18000 ft followed by one day of relative rest by employing them on crusher/HMP operation at altitudes less than 15000 ft. Similarly, intensive equipment management with the help of an experienced team from dependent workshop was carried out in order to keep the down time of vehicles and plants to a minimum during the brief working season. Only 4x4 tippers and dumpers were employed on this road so that maximum output can be extracted from them.
Though the construction of road through Umling La pass was full of challenges, the BRO is sanguine that its construction will bring the desired development and prosperity in the region.
CE&CR: How are BRO constructed roads contributing to the socio-economic development of country?
Lt. Gen. Rajeev Chaudhry: Besides road construction, BRO has a much bigger responsibility and role in taking the nation forward. Our roads are used by the armed forces and paramilitary forces and BRO keeps these roads open round the year enabling uninterrupted movement of men, material and equipment to maintain operational readiness of our forces.
With heightened attention to construct road infra up to the remotest regions, we have connected some of the most backward areas to the mainland for the first time. Recently we built a 180 ft bridge in Sanklang-Toong in Sikkim on Tulung Chu road. This bridge is called as the Bridge of Hope by the locals. Prior to construction of the bridge, the locals were traversing 56 km by vehicles and 14 km on foot to reach Saffo Village.
With heightened attention to construct road infra up to the remotest regions, we have connected some of the most backward areas to the mainland for the first time. Recently we built a 180 ft bridge in Sanklang-Toong in Sikkim on Tulung Chu road. This bridge is called as the Bridge of Hope by the locals. Prior to construction of the bridge, the locals were traversing 56 km by vehicles and 14 km on foot to reach Saffo Village.
The construction of Atal Tunnel has been a game changer for the people of Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh who now enjoy uninterrupted movement during peak winters and would witness speedier economic progress.
Another noteworthy achievement of BRO has been providing connectivity from Shastri Nagar to Laxmi Bindu, the Southern most tip of India in the Great Nicobar Island by providing a crossing over the Galathiya River.
CE&CR: The BRO has taken a lead in Women Empowerment including creating the Country’s first ever All Women Road Construction Company. Please throw some light on this.
Lt. Gen. Rajeev Chaudhry: The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has inducted a large number of women into its workforce over the years. By empowering them with the tools of authority, responsibility and respect, BRO firmly believes that women will always be active participants in the endeavour of nation building. The multi-faceted approach of BRO towards Women Empowerment includes variety in employment roles, avenues for higher education, access to proper healthcare, opportunities for adventure, sports and encouragement to develop holistically, as they play the lead roles in all walks of life. Women empowerment, in the truest sense, has also been achieved by incorporating an attitudinal change. This is achieved by giving them confidence and treating them with proper respect, dignity, fairness and equality. Apart from the professional domain, women are also being educated, as part of welfare initiatives, in managing their own finances and documentation.
In an affirmation of this belief, the organisation continues to assign higher leadership roles to women. On 28 April 2021, a GREF officer EE (Civ) Vaishali S. Hiwase took over the reins of 83 Road Construction Company, employed on an important Indo-China Border Road connecting Munsiyari-Bughdiar-Milam, in an area full of adversity and challenges. The lady officer has taken control and has lead the charge with meticulous execution of her tasks. Similarly, EE (Civ) Obing Taki took over the reins of 105 Road Construction Company on 26 July 2021 to look after the construction of Migging-Tuting road in Arunachal Pradesh, a task she has been performing with utmost sincerity, dedication and efficiency.
BRO created history again, on 30 Aug 2021, when Major Aaina of Project Shivalik took charged as Officer Commanding, 75 RCC at Pipalkoti in Chamoli district. She is the first Indian Army Engineer Officer to command a Road Construction Company. Not only this all three Platoon Commanders under her, Captain Anjana, AEE (Civ) Bhawana Joshi and AEE (Civ) Vishnumaya K are lady officers and they have together created a First Ever Women RCC. Even the Doctor, MO-II Ms Mahima Sharma is co-located with the RCC truly making it an All-Women Integrated Team. BRO plans to make four such all Women led RCCs, two each in North Eastern and Western Sectors of the BRO. 75 RCC has created history by ensuring connectivity to some of the forward most posts along the Indo – China Border till 01 Dec 2021 despite extreme snowfall.
Over the last six decades, in a graduated and steady manner, BRO has increased the number of women employed in various roles and duties of road construction. The other Women in major leadership roles in BRO include Lt. Col. Snigdha Sharma who heads the legal section of the BRO and Col Navneet Duggal who is the Officer Commanding of a workshop in the UT of J&K looking after the essential serviceability of BRO’s equipment deployed in the remote areas. Besides this, we also have women officers providing logistic support, looking after signal communication & IT at HQ DGBR and a large number of Medical officers providing essential health care services in the forward most areas of deployment. A consolidated effort is being made to empower them by giving them authority and responsibilities to undertake work independently. These women have become symbols of Nari Shakti in their respective areas.
In view of these Women Officers’ contribution in setting exemplary standards in being inspirational leaders, Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) felicitated four women officers from Border Roads Organisation by bestowing them with the “International Women’s Day Award” in New Delhi on the occasion of International Women’s Day on 08 March 2022. In addition to this, 05 Women across all ranks have also been honoured by Hon’ble Governors through award of Governor’s Medal on 26 Jan 2022. These women have truly become symbols of India’s Nari-Shakti and will serve as motivation to other women to dedicate themselves to the cause of nation building.
