Rajnath Singh: Roads, Tunnels as Vital as Weapons in Modern Warfare
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday highlighted the indispensable role of strategic infrastructure such as roads, tunnels, airfields, and ports in future conflicts, even as advanced weapons and modern platforms are inducted into the armed forces.
Speaking at the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) Strategic Infrastructure Conclave at Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, Mr. Singh said that while military prowess, precision capabilities, and modern technologies shape the outcome of wars, robust infrastructure forms the backbone of military operations.
“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 Minister lauded the BRO for embracing niche technologies and modern construction methods to strengthen India’s border infrastructure, aligning with the government’s vision of enhancing national security and building a developed India by 2047.
Highlighting the organisation’s transformation over six-and-a-half decades, Mr. Singh said the BRO has evolved 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 engineering capabilities in harsh conditions.
Describing the BRO as a frontrunner in adopting advanced technologies, he said innovations like tunnelling technology have revolutionised connectivity in mountainous regions. The pace of road and highway construction across difficult terrain reflects a combination of technological advancement and human determination.
The Defence Minister also reiterated the government’s focus on improving connectivity through road, rail, air, and digital infrastructure, noting that border villages are being transformed into “first villages” under the Vibrant Village Programme for inclusive development.
Director General Border Roads Organisation Lt. Gen. Harpal Singh said strategic capability today is determined not only by what is built but also by how efficiently projects are planned, executed, monitored, and maintained. He said the BRO is undergoing organisational transformation with greater emphasis on digital planning, AI-enabled solutions, mechanisation, modern construction techniques, and stronger collaboration with industry and academia to build resilient and future-ready strategic infrastructure.
