Defence Ministry says increased budget allocation will boost border infrastructure and connectivity

Even as Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a big hike of around 13% in the defence budget for the 2023-24 fiscal period, a significant amount was also devoted to infrastructure development along the northern borders with China and Pakistan

Ajeyo Basu|Feb 01, 2023, 19:25:27 IST

New Delhi: With India facing up to a belligerent China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Indian government has initiated a slew of development projects at the Himalayan frontiers.

“Defence ministry is committed towards infrastructure strengthening in the northern borders. Accordingly, the Capital Budget of Border Roads Organization (BRO) has been increased by 43% to Rs 5,000 crore in FY 2023-24 as against Rs 3,500 crore in FY 2022-23,” the Defence Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

“The allocation under this segment has doubled in two years since FY 2021-22. This will boost the Border infrastructure thereby creating strategically important assets like Sela Tunnel, Nechipu Tunnel &Sela-Chhabrela Tunnel and will also enhance border connectivity,” the statement added.

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