By IANS,
New Delhi : The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has been entrusted with the building and maintenance of 61 strategic roads along the international border with China, Defence Minister A.K. Antony informed the Lok Sabha Monday.
In a written reply, Antony said the government was paying close attention to China’s military modernisation as well as infrastructure development in the border regions, including Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
He said the government also reviews the threat perception from time to time.
The government takes all necessary measures, including building up of operational capabilities of the armed forces and development of infrastructure in the border areas to meet the country’s security requirements and also facilitate economic development of those areas.
“The BRO has been entrusted to execute 61 strategic roads along the border with China. So far, Rs.3,877.52 crore has been utilised by the BRO till January 2014 against a total release of Rs.4,336.88 crore (in the current fiscal),” Antony said.
He also said the BRO was not mandated to construct rail links.