Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee once stated, “You can change friends, but not neighbours” This statement aptly reflects India’s geographic and geopolitical reality, as she shares a complex and often challenging neighbourhood, particularly along her northern frontiers. While the border with Pakistan remains persistently tense, the boundary with China carries the potential of a full fledged friction, as and when the circumstances deteriorate. And at the same time, India aspires for a stable present and a better future for her people. Hence, the protection and development of borders is very essential as a growing nation needs stability and stability requires your borders to be stable.
The Government of India displayed a marked awareness of this reality yet again when Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently inaugurated 75 Border Roads Organisation (BRO) infrastructure projects across 11 border States and Union Territories, collectively worth ₹2,236 crore. The ceremony, held at Sukna in West Bengal, signified not merely the dedication of new assets but the reaffirmation of a national resolve: that India’s edges must be as strong, connected, and thriving as its core.
A major highlight of the new projects is the construction of seven roads and twelve bridges in Jammu and Kashmir, built at a cost of ₹731.22 crore. Which include key routes such as the Bishnah-Kaulpur-Khojipur, Basoli-Bani-Bhaderwah, and Bandipura-Gureizin roads, along with important bridges at Sawan, Sewa-II, Biyalu, Dersu, and Gurai, among others. Built under the BRO’s Project Sampark and Project Beacon, these projects are remarkable engineering achievements, completed in some of the toughest terrain and extreme weather conditions. Over the past five years, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has completed more than 450 projects worth ₹16,000 crore, and this year it has reached a new milestone by dedicating 111 projects to the nation, including these latest 75.
These projects hold deep strategic value. Border infrastructure in India serves as both a deterrent and a defence mechanism. In recent times, India’s security calculus has expanded beyond the immediate military dimension to encompass mobility, logistics, and preparedness. Roads and bridges along the border ensure that the movement of troops, equipment, and supplies is swift and reliable, thereby reducing response time in the event of hostilities or natural calamities. They provide operational flexibility and help our forces maintain sustained presence in remote and high-altitude areas.
Equally important, enhanced infrastructure in sensitive zones acts as a barrier against infiltration, drug trafficking, and the smuggling of arms and contraband – all of which have historically exploited the inaccessibility of rugged border terrain. Each new road that penetrates into a remote valley or mountain pass not only aids surveillance but also symbolically erases the isolation that anti-India elements have long used to their advantage. The stronger and more connected our borders, the narrower the space for such forces to operate.
At the same time, the developmental dimension of these projects cannot be overlooked. Strengthening national security goes hand in hand with addressing the needs and aspirations of the people living in these frontier regions. For years, residents of these areas have faced neglect and isolation, both geographically and administratively. The current focus on improving connectivity and infrastructure is therefore not just about security, it is also about nation-building. When communities in Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, or the remote valleys of Jammu and Kashmir gain access to better roads, dependable bridges, and essential public services, it fosters a sense of inclusion and strengthens their connection to the nation.
This sense of inclusion is being further reinforced through complementary initiatives like the Vibrant Villages Programme, which seeks to transform India’s border villages from outposts of neglect into hubs of opportunity. The philosophy is simple yet profound – to make border residents stakeholders in national defence by ensuring that they share in the dividends of growth. Roads and bridges, in this sense, are not just conduits of transport; they are conduits of trust between the State and its citizens in the most far-flung corners.
Economically, the benefits of such infrastructure are already visible. Improved connectivity is a catalyst for trade, tourism, and local enterprise, particularly in border states that possess unique cultural and natural resources. Farmers find easier access to markets; artisans and small traders see new customers; and local youth discover employment in construction, maintenance, and allied services. Tourism, a major source of livelihood in the Himalayan belt, receives a direct boost when accessibility improves. Moreover, the expansion of road networks lowers transportation costs, facilitates the inflow of goods and services, and attracts investment in sectors such as renewable energy and eco-tourism. Over time, this infrastructure can help integrate frontier economies with the national grid, reducing disparities and fostering balanced growth.
These investments, however, must be viewed not merely in monetary terms but as a strategic commitment to the future. As India aspires to become a developed nation by 2047, the link between development and security grows ever more apparent. A secure frontier ensures internal stability, which in turn sustains economic progress. The government’s approach reflects an understanding that the foundation of a strong India lies not in the isolation of its borders, but in their integration – infrastructurally, economically, and emotionally – with the rest of the country.
India’s borders have long been seen as the periphery – distant, inhospitable, and sparsely inhabited. That mindset is now being challenged. The new roads and bridges inaugurated this month represent a subtle but significant shift – from viewing these areas as ‘India’s last villages’ to recognising them as ‘India’s first villages’. It is a shift not only in nomenclature but in national perspective, where the frontier ceases to be a limit and becomes instead the starting point of India’s strength and spirit.
Through the steady expansion of its border infrastructure, India is scripting a narrative of resilience – where every bridge is a bond, every road a reassurance, and every milestone a marker of progress towards a secure and prosperous future. The message is clear: a nation that builds its frontiers with purpose and pride builds its destiny with confidence.
(Author- Maitreyaei Upadhyay (Tweets at – @MaitreyaeiU) is a public policy, politics and geo-political enthusiast. She is deeply interested in current and future happenings that concern, politics, economy, security and geo-politics of India.)
