Gangtok: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually inaugurated 75 infrastructure projects ‘dedicated to the nation’ from Sherathang, near the Indo-Tibet border, on October 12. These include 51 bridges, 22 roads, and two miscellaneous projects, aimed at strengthening connectivity in critical regions.
The road projects include four for Sikkim, seven for Jammu and Kashmir, three for Arunachal Pradesh, two each for Ladakh and Rajasthan, and one each for Nagaland and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The 51 bridges cover key locations, including 14 for Arunachal Pradesh, 12 for Jammu and Kashmir, nine for Ladakh, and others spread across Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Sikkim.
Among Sikkim’s projects, the Sherathang-Kupup road, upgraded at a cost of Rs. 64 crores, plays a crucial role for the armed forces, offering an alternative route from East Sikkim to the Siliguri corridor. In Ladakh, the newly constructed Hemiya Bridge on the Leh-Loma road, costing Rs. 10.26 crores, will improve connectivity to Dungti.
The North-South road in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, extending 11.775 km and costing Rs. 103.21 crores, connects Campbell Bay to Indira Point, the southernmost tip of India, offering strategic oversight of the Strait of Malacca. Mizoram’s 125-metre Nengpuilui Bridge, completed at Rs. 21.97 crores, enhances connectivity along the Indo-Bangladesh and Indo-Myanmar borders.
Despite being scheduled to attend the event in person, Singh, due to inclement weather, inaugurated the projects virtually from Sukna Military Base. Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Golay, along with other state dignitaries, attended the ceremony at Sherathang.
The virtual inauguration also saw participation from governors, chief ministers, and officials from various states, including Arunachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Nagaland, and Mizoram.
Also Read: Global Naga Forum alleges unlawful WhatsApp surveillance by AR major