Why in news?
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) recently celebrated the 18th Raising Day of Project Arunank, a flagship road‑building initiative in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. The event showcased the project’s achievements in connecting remote communities and supporting defence preparedness in the northeastern region.
Background
Project Arunank was launched by the BRO in 2008. Its name derives from the state of Arunachal Pradesh, where the terrain is rugged and connectivity is poor. The project’s primary objective is to provide all‑weather road links between isolated villages, forward areas and the rest of India while meeting the operational requirements of the armed forces. Since its inception, Project Arunank has combined conventional engineering with innovative methods to overcome difficult geography and climatic challenges.
Major achievements
- Extensive road network: The project has constructed more than 696 kilometres of roads and about 1.18 kilometres of bridges across Arunachal Pradesh, opening up access to remote valleys and border settlements.
- Key routes: One of its flagship works is the Hapoli–Sarli–Huri road, a 278‑kilometre link that connects the central part of the state to western regions and reduces travel time substantially.
- Innovative technologies: Engineers have used steel slag in pavement layers, cut‑and‑cover tunnels to bypass landslide‑prone zones, geo‑cells and plastic sheets for slope stabilisation, and gabion walls filled with concrete to fortify embankments. These methods increase durability and sustainability while reducing construction cost.
- Environmental initiative: Under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” programme workers planted over 23,850 trees along project corridors to offset the ecological footprint of road construction.
Future plans
- Upgrading roads: Existing single‑lane roads will be widened to double lanes to accommodate rising traffic and improve safety.
- Building bridges and tunnels: New bridges and tunnels are planned across deep gorges and rivers to provide faster and more reliable connectivity.
- Adopting modern materials: Project Arunank intends to deploy pre‑fabricated structures, high‑performance concrete and geo‑synthetic solutions to reduce construction time and maintenance costs.
Significance
- Strategic importance: Better roads enable swift movement of troops and supplies to border areas, enhancing national security.
- Socio‑economic benefits: Improved connectivity facilitates trade, tourism and access to education and healthcare for local residents, raising living standards.
- Sustainable development: By integrating eco‑friendly techniques and afforestation, the project seeks to balance development with environmental protection.
Conclusion
Project Arunank illustrates how careful planning and innovative engineering can transform remote regions. Continued investment in roads, bridges and green initiatives will help integrate Arunachal Pradesh more closely with the rest of India and support both civilian life and defence needs.
Source: DD News