- Why in news
- On 19 January 2026, PIB published a explainer on the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). It reports record spending of ₹16,690 crore in FY 2024–25 and a ₹17,900 crore target for FY 2025–26.
- What it is
- The Border Roads Organisation is the Government of India's border infrastructure agency. It builds and maintains strategic roads, bridges, tunnels and airfields in border and remote areas for military and civilian use. It is staffed by GREF, Army engineers and civilian workers, and also works in friendly neighbouring countries.
- Origin and motto
- BRO was born on 7 May 1960. Its motto is 'Shramena Sarvam Sadhyam' (through hard work, all things are possible).
- Parent ministry
- Since 2015–16 BRO has worked fully under the Ministry of Defence. Before that it was partly under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
- Workforce
- BRO rests on the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) and Indian Army engineer officers, supported by civilian staff and Casual Paid Labourers.
- Project Dantak, Bhutan
- Dantak, launched in 1961, is BRO's oldest and most lasting overseas mission. It has built bridges and airports such as Paro and Yonphula in Bhutan.
- Delaram–Zaranj Highway
- BRO built the 218 km Delaram–Zaranj Highway (Route 606) in Afghanistan. It gives Afghanistan direct access to Iran and Chabahar Port.
- Atal Tunnel
- The 9.02 km Atal Tunnel under Rohtang Pass is called the world's longest highway tunnel above 10,000 ft. It gives all-weather Leh–Manali connectivity.
Don’t confuse with BRO vs BRDB: BRO is the executing agency. The Border Roads Development Board, set up in 1960, is the policy body that oversees it.
Don’t confuse with GREF vs Army engineers: GREF is a force of civilian-status engineers. Army engineer officers are serving military personnel. Both staff BRO.
Defence: Prelims tests exercises (with whom), equipment (who makes it) and firsts.
Why it matters
- Gives all-weather access to forward areas, improving troop movement and logistics along the LAC and LoC.
- Serves border villages and disaster relief, and supports schemes like Vibrant Villages and Act East.
Problems
- Harsh terrain, snow, landslides and floods delay work and damage assets.
- Large forward-area workload and the need to cut project delays and keep up quality.
Way forward
- Adopt new technologies and speed up approvals for the 27,300 km perspective plan.
- Strengthen all-weather links such as tunnels and keep up funding growth.
Put in your answer
BRO budget: Allocation rose from ₹6,500 crore in Union Budget 2024–25 to ₹7,146 crore in 2025–26.
Trans-Kashmir Connectivity: A roughly 717 km Poonch–Sonamarg link has been approved, with tunnels planned at several passes.
Zojila reopening: Zojila was reopened on 1 April 2025 after a record winter closure of 32 days.
- 2024Mains GS3 · Q19Examine border conflicts and security issues with China and Pakistan; discuss BADP and BIM development.
- 2016Mains GS3 · Q19Elucidate challenges and strategies for effective border management in difficult terrain.
- 2026Mains GS3 · Q10Discuss BADP and Army civic actions in Ladakh, and the demand for Sixth Schedule.
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Standing body with facts (founded 1960, overseas projects) but defence bodies rarely reach Mains; only 8 Prelims questions on defence since 2013.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.