Why in news?
The Border Roads Organisation’s Project Deepak celebrated its 66th Raising Day on 4 May 2026 in Shimla. The project marks more than six decades of constructing and maintaining strategic road networks in the Western Himalayas. It has been instrumental in keeping high‑altitude border roads open and supporting both defence and civilian communities.
Background
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) was established in 1960 to develop infrastructure in India’s border areas. Project Deepak, raised in 1961 and headquartered in Shimla, is one of its oldest projects. It is responsible for over 1,100 km of roads in Himachal Pradesh and parts of Uttarakhand, including the Hindustan–Tibet Road and stretches of the Manali–Leh axis. The project keeps open the roads to the four holy shrines collectively known as the Char Dhams and to the remote Gurudwara Hemkund Sahib.
Key points
- Strategic connectivity: Project Deepak constructs, upgrades and maintains high‑altitude roads linking border posts and remote villages. These roads are vital for troop movement, logistics and tourism.
- Disaster response: Teams under Project Deepak have repeatedly rescued stranded motorists during snowstorms and landslides. In May 2023 they evacuated around 300 motorists at Baralachala Pass, and in July 2023 they evacuated over 250 civilians from the high‑altitude Chandrataal area.
- Historical achievements: The project built key sections of the Hindustan–Tibet Road and the Manali–Leh route — both engineering feats that traverse some of the world’s toughest terrain. It continues to improve road surfaces and bridges to ensure year‑round connectivity.
Significance
By enabling all‑weather access to border areas, Project Deepak strengthens national security and fosters socio‑economic development. Its rescue missions underscore the importance of maintaining skilled road engineering units in high‑risk environments. The raising day is a reminder of the dedication of BRO personnel serving in extreme conditions.
Sources: PIB