Kathua & Samba: 20 Jul 2019
Ushering in a new revolution in the connectivity of roads and bridges in border areas, Shri Rajnath Singh, Hon’ble Raksha Mantri inaugurated the 1000 mtr long UJH bridge in Kathua district & 617.40 mtr Basantar bridge in Samba dist of J&K and dedicated them to the nation.
The event was attended by Dr Jitender Singh, Hon’ble MOS DoNER, PMO, PP, Atomic Energy & Space, Gen Bipin Rawat, Chief of The Army Staff, Lt Gen Harpal Singh, Director General Border Roads, Maj Gen Y P Khanduri, GOC, Gurj Division alongwith many other Army & Civil administration dignitaries.
1000 mtr long Ujh bridge is the longest bridge constructed by BRO & also has the distinction of using technology of Pre Cast Segmental bridge with 60 mtr spans. It has been constructed at a cost of approx Rs. 50 crore and completed within scheduled time. The bridge is located on Parole-Korepannu-Rajpura road over Ujh River.
Basantar bridge has been constructed with a total cost of approx Rs. 41.7 crore. The bridge is located on Rajpura – Madwal – Pangadur – Phulpur road over Basantar River.
Both these bridges have been constructed under 69 Road Construction Company of 13 Border Roads Task Force under supervision of Project Sampark. These bridges will provide smooth connectivity and are vital for mobility of Security Forces in border areas. These bridges will be a big relief for the locals of border villages of Kathua and Samba as road connectivity used to get severed during monsoons. Both the bridges will also boost the local socio-economic growth.
Terming construction of Ujh & Basantpur Bridges a great achievement by BRO, Hon’ble Raksha Mantri said that the roads and bridges are the lifeline of any nation and play a vital role in the socio-economic development of far flung regions and population. Hon’ble Raksha Mantri praised BRO personnel for working in the most hostile and the difficult areas, away from their families and rendering commendable services through construction and maintenance of roads and bridges in border areas fulfilling the strategic need of Indian Defence Forces. Reiterating the Central Government’s commitment to the development of connectivity in Jammu & Kashmir area, he said that our Hon’ble Prime Minister is regularly monitoring the progress of these projects and funds are being ensured accordingly.
Dr Jitender Singh, Hon’ble MoS also highlighted the development program of Central Govt and PM Modi’s steps for boosting connectivity in the J&K.
Lt Gen Harpal Singh, DGBR, underlined the contribution of BRO to the nation in far flung areas of the country under extremely difficult and harsh conditions. Admiring the contribution of Project Sampark and congratulating all the employees associated with this project, he offered his sincere thanks to Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, Hon’ble MoS, Chief of Army Staff and other dignitaries and locals for their support for completion of the projects.
