NEW DELHI: The Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh has emphasized on the need for maintaining transparency and accountability in the execution of road projects by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). Addressing the Annual BRO Chief Engineers’ Conference 2015 at New Delhi today, the Minister who is also the Chairman Border Roads Development Board (BRDB) said the main concern in road construction is maintaining the quality in construction with transparency. “I am told that few steps have already been taken in this regard and few more are in the pipeline”, he stated. He further added that there is a general awareness amongst the users and there is an increased aspiration in terms of riding quality and roadside amenities.
Speaking on environmental and ecological issues pertaining to construction of new roads in remote areas, the Minister reiterated that the Government has taken various policy decisions in easing-out procedures for according clearances to defence projects. All these initiatives will help executives and engineers on ground for faster construction of infrastructure in border areas. He also stressed on the need for the organisation to put in their best to fulfil the strategic needs of the country and to meet the requirements for the socio economic development of the region as a whole.
The Minister commended the organisation for doing excellent work in building roads in remote areas and achieving the targets set for construction of strategic roads which includes Indo-China border roads in north and north-eastern borders despite all odds. He also acknowledged rescue and rehabilitation works carried out by the Organisation despite adverse climatic conditions during the devastating floods in Jammu and Kashmir last year. Earlier the Minister was received by the DGBR Lt Gen RM Mittal on his arrival at BRO headquarters to address the conference.