Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday underscored the enduring importance of strategic infrastructure in modern warfare, saying that roads, tunnels, airfields and ports will continue to play a decisive role in military operations despite rapid advances in defence technologies.
Addressing the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) Strategic Infrastructure Conclave in New Delhi, Singh said that while future conflicts may increasingly rely on precision weapons and advanced military platforms, robust infrastructure remains the backbone of operational readiness.
“Sometimes, the first front of a war is not at the border itself, but on the road that leads our soldiers to the frontline. The person who builds that road is as vital a guardian of national security as the soldier who stands at the border,” he said.
The Defence Minister commended the BRO for adopting advanced technologies to build strategic infrastructure and contributing to the government’s vision of strengthening national security while supporting the goal of a developed India, or Viksit Bharat, by 2047.
Highlighting the organisation’s evolution over the past six decades, Singh said the BRO has transformed from a road construction agency into one of the world’s leading strategic infrastructure organisations. He cited landmark projects such as the Atal Tunnel, Umling La Pass road and the Sela Tunnel as examples of the organisation’s engineering capabilities and commitment to nation-building under challenging conditions.
Describing the BRO as a frontrunner in adopting modern construction technologies, he said innovations such as advanced tunnelling techniques have significantly improved infrastructure development in mountainous regions. The pace at which the organisation is constructing roads and highways in some of the world’s most difficult terrains reflects the combination of human determination and technological advancement, he added.
Singh also stressed that connectivity is central to both national development and security. He said the government has prioritised expanding road, rail, air and digital connectivity to ensure that people living in remote border areas remain connected with the rest of the country.
Referring to the Vibrant Village Programme, the Defence Minister said border villages, once regarded as the country’s last villages, are now being developed as its first villages. He added that the infrastructure being built today would shape India’s development for generations.
Calling infrastructure development a shared national responsibility, Singh urged industry, academia, engineers and administrators to work together in fostering innovation, research and efficient implementation to create future-ready strategic infrastructure.
Director General Border Roads Lt Gen Harpal Singh said strategic capability today is increasingly determined by intelligent planning, rapid execution, effective monitoring and sustainable maintenance of infrastructure assets. He said the BRO is undergoing organisational transformation through digital planning, artificial intelligence-enabled solutions, mechanisation, modern construction practices and closer collaboration with industry and academic institutions.
During the event, the Defence Minister presented awards to BRO projects for excellence in infrastructure development. He also launched two digital platforms for project management and recruitment, aimed at strengthening the organisation’s digital capabilities.
Three BRO publications — Path Pradarshak, Oonchi Sadken and Path Vikas — documenting the organisation’s achievements, engineering innovations and future vision were also released. The BRO Anthem, dedicated to the organisation’s personnel, was unveiled on the occasion.
The two-day conclave, which began on July 15, brought together senior military officials, policymakers, infrastructure experts, industry representatives and technology partners to discuss emerging technologies, digital transformation, sustainable construction practices and innovative engineering solutions for strategic infrastructure development in India’s border regions.
The conclave focused on the theme “Enhancing Capability through Technology, Innovation and Execution Excellence,” with discussions spanning the entire infrastructure lifecycle—from planning and design to execution, monitoring and adoption of future technologies. It also featured an industry interaction session showcasing advanced equipment and specialised technologies suited to the BRO’s operational requirements.
