Border Roads workers constructing a strategic road at a high-altitude terrain in Sikkim. (Photo: BRO)
Gangtok/New Delhi: The Border Roads Organization’s (BRO) Project Swastik marked 65 years of operations in Sikkim on Tuesday, having constructed over 1,412 kilometres of roads and more than 80 major bridges across some of the Himalayan region’s most difficult terrain.
Established in 1960 to connect remote valleys and forward areas of Sikkim with the rest of India while supporting military operational requirements, the project has maintained strategic infrastructure despite frequent natural disasters including glacial lake outburst floods, cloudbursts and flooding from the Teesta river. The past decade alone has seen the completion of approximately 350 kilometres of roads, 26 bridges and one tunnel, according to the organization’s data.
#BRO65YearsInSikkim#BROSwastikInSikkim
— ?????? ????? ???????????? (@BROindia) October 1, 2025
Project Swastik @BROindia commemorates 65 glorious years of service to the Nation, dedicated to strengthening border infrastructure, connectivity & security.
Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan, PVSM, VSM, DGBR congratulated all ranks & families on… pic.twitter.com/uXaY1Qyufe
Anniversary celebrations at Gangtok included a wreath-laying ceremony at the Swastik Memorial, community gatherings and cultural programmes. The BRO also announced several welfare measures for casual paid labourers (CPLs), who form a substantial part of the project’s workforce. These include improved living quarters with insulated shelters, enhanced protective equipment for winter conditions, and regular health camps.
The organization has prioritized worker welfare over recent years, implementing safe water and sanitation facilities at construction sites, a recognition of the harsh working conditions in high-altitude environments where temperatures can drop well below freezing.
Future plans involve infrastructure projects valued at ₹1,152.66 crore, including construction of the Western Sikkim Highway and two national highway sections, NH-310A and NH-310AG, aimed at improving connectivity to North Sikkim. The projects will incorporate advanced engineering techniques such as geotextiles, modern surfacing methods, slope stabilization and avalanche mitigation systems.
The BRO, which operates under the Ministry of Defence, maintains strategic roads in border regions across the country. In Sikkim, which shares borders with China, Nepal, and Bhutan, road connectivity remains crucial for both military logistics and civilian access to isolated communities.
The state’s challenging geography – characterized by steep gradients, unstable slopes and extreme weather patterns – makes road construction and maintenance particularly demanding. The region experiences heavy monsoon rainfall and winter snowfall, both of which frequently damage infrastructure.
Lieutenant General Raghu Srinivasan, director general of BRO, acknowledged the contributions of personnel and their families in a message marking the anniversary.
The project’s work has extended beyond military requirements to provide year-round access for civilian populations in remote areas, enabling improved connectivity for healthcare, education and economic activities in one of India’s least accessible states.
