Gangtok, Oct 1 : Project Swastik of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) marked its 65th Raising Day in Gangtok, highlighting six decades of work in Sikkim’s high-altitude terrain and announcing a ₹1,152.66 crore programme for new roads, tunnels and bridges in the coming year.
Raised in 1960, the project said it has built and maintains 1,412 km of roads and more than 80 major bridges across remote valleys and forward areas, providing vital links for local communities and the Armed Forces. It has operated through recurring challenges including glacial lake outburst floods, cloudbursts and frequent Teesta River flooding.
Over the past decade, Project Swastik completed more than 350 km of roads, 26 bridges and one tunnel.
Wednesday’s observance began with a wreath-laying at the Swastik Memorial to honour personnel who died in the line of duty. Events included a Sainik Sammelan, Barakhana, cultural programmes, the inauguration of a renovated regimental canteen and a Swastik Mela for personnel and families.
The project also announced welfare measures for Casual Paid Labourers, including habitat improvement, enhanced protective clothing, insulated shelters, sanitation facilities and health camps.
Looking ahead, the plan includes the Western Sikkim Highway and works on NH-310A and NH-310AG to strengthen connectivity to North Sikkim and enable faster mobilisation of forces. Upcoming works will incorporate sustainability features and technologies such as geotextiles, advanced surfacing, slope stabilisation and avalanche mitigation, alongside state-of-the-art tunnels and bridges.
