Border infrastructure will remain crucial in future wars, says Rajnath

BRO organizes ‘Strategic Infrastructure Conclave-2026’

LEH: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday asserted that border infrastructure will continue to play an indispensable role in future technology-driven warfare, stressing that roads, tunnels, airfields and ports remain the backbone of military operations despite rapid advances in modern weaponry and precision technologies.

Addressing the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) Strategic Infrastructure Conclave in New Delhi, Rajnath Singh said that while the nature of warfare is evolving with the induction of state-of-the-art weapons and platforms, basic infrastructure remains central to enabling military preparedness and operational success.

Highlighting the strategic importance of connectivity, the Defence Minister remarked that “sometimes, the first front of a war is not at the border itself, but on the road that leads our soldiers to the frontline,” adding that those who build such infrastructure are as vital to national security as the soldiers guarding the nation’s borders.

Praising the BRO for adopting advanced technologies and delivering world-class infrastructure in some of the world’s most challenging terrains, Rajnath Singh said the organisation has transformed itself over the past six and a half decades from a road construction agency into one of the world’s most respected strategic infrastructure organisations. He cited landmark projects such as the Atal Tunnel, Umling La Pass and Sela Tunnel as enduring symbols of BRO’s engineering excellence, dedication and capability to overcome extreme geographical challenges.

The Defence Minister described the BRO as a frontline organisation in embracing cutting-edge technologies, particularly tunnelling technology, which has revolutionised infrastructure development in both urban and mountainous regions. He said the pace at which the BRO is constructing roads and highways across difficult terrains reflects the combined strength of human determination and technological innovation.

Reaffirming the Government’s commitment to strengthening connectivity across the country, Rajnath Singh said infrastructure development is fundamental to India’s long-term growth and national security. He noted that the Government has prioritised road, rail, air and digital connectivity to ensure that even the remotest border regions remain connected with the national mainstream.

He also highlighted the transformation of border villages under the Vibrant Village Programme, stating that settlements once considered the country’s last villages are now being developed as India’s first villages. “The infrastructure we are building today will define our civilisation for the next one or two centuries,” he said, adding that a nation with strong infrastructure is one with a secure and prosperous future.

Calling for greater collaboration, Rajnath Singh urged industries, academia, engineers and administrators to work together in building an ecosystem driven by innovation, research and efficient execution to accelerate strategic infrastructure development.

Director General Border Roads Lt Gen Harpal Singh, who also addressed the conclave, said strategic capability is no longer measured solely by what is built but increasingly by how intelligently projects are planned, how quickly they are executed, how effectively they are monitored and how sustainably they are maintained.

He said the BRO has embarked on a comprehensive organisational transformation driven by technology, innovation and institutional reforms, with greater emphasis on digital planning, artificial intelligence-enabled solutions, mechanisation, modern construction techniques and stronger collaboration with industry and academic institutions to build resilient and future-ready strategic infrastructure.

During the event, Rajnath Singh presented awards to several BRO projects for excellence in infrastructure development and launched two new digital platforms dedicated to project management and recruitment as part of the organisation’s ongoing digital transformation. He also released three flagship BRO publications—Path Pradarshak, Oonchi Sadken and Path Vikas—documenting the organisation’s achievements, engineering innovations and future vision, besides unveiling the BRO Anthem in tribute to its personnel.

The two-day conclave, which commenced on July 15, brought together senior military leadership, policymakers, infrastructure experts, industry leaders, technology partners and BRO officers to deliberate on emerging technologies, digital transformation, sustainable construction practices and innovative engineering solutions under the theme “Enhancing Capability through Technology, Innovation and Execution Excellence.”

The discussions focused on strengthening every stage of strategic infrastructure development—from planning and design to execution, monitoring and maintenance—while promoting smarter, technology-driven solutions to accelerate the development of critical infrastructure in India’s border regions. Industry participants also showcased advanced equipment and emerging technologies specifically designed to meet the BRO’s demanding operational requirements in high-altitude and remote areas.