GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Ministry of Defence

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

 RAJYASABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1746
ANSWERED ON DECEMBER 9, 2014

Completion of Border Roads Projects

1746. SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state;

(a)   the details of the strategic border road projects yet to be completed by the BRO, State-wise, including North Eastern States and washed away strategic roads in Uttarakhand;

(b)   the reasons for the delay in timely completion of these projects; and

(c)    the steps proposed to be taken by Government to expedite the completion of theseprojects?

ANSWER
MINISTER OF DEFENCE
(SHRI MANOHAR PARRIKAR)

(a): Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has been entrusted with maintenance / constructionof approximately over 30,000 kms of roads in the country including North-Eastern region. 61 Indo-China Border Roads (ICBRs), of total length 3410 km have been entrusted toBRO. Out of which, 17 roads of length 590 km have been completed and work on 44roads is in progress. The statewise details of ICBRs with BRO are given as under:

During the floods / heavy rains in Uttarakhand in 2013, various stretches of roads at 103 locations and 9 bridges were washed away. Connectivity was established in all washed out/ damaged roads by 30^thOctober 2013.

(b): The delays in execution of road projects are mainly due to the following reasons:

1. Delay in Forest / Wildlife clearance.
2. Hard rock stretches.
3. Limited working season.
4. Difficulties in availability of construction material.
5. Delay in Land Acquisition.
6. Due to natural disaster such as flash flood of Leh in 2010, J&K flood in 2014 and Earthquake in Sikkim in 2011, resources were diverted.

(c): Government has taken following measures to expedite the pace of road projects:

1. Chief Secretaries of various State Governments have been requested to constituteEmpowered Committees under their chairmanship with Secretaries of concerneddepartments as members to resolve issues related to land acquisition, wildlife clearance, allotment of quarries etc.
2. Ministry of Environment & Forest (MoEF) has given the General Approval undersection 2 of forest (conservation) Act, 1980 for diversion of forest land required for construction / widening of roads entrusted to BRO in the area falling within 100 kilometers aerial distance from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and for linkroads between Border Roads in the area within 100 kilometer aerial distance from the line of Actual Control (LAC) and National Highways / State Highways / Otherroads subject to certain conditions.
3. Outsourcing has been allowed to augment capacity of BRO.
4. Long Term Roll On Work Plan (LTROWP) and Long Term Equipment Plan(LTEP) has been approved.
5. Enhanced financial and administrative powers have been given to the executives ofBRO.