At Pithoragarh, the Defence Secretary received detailed operational briefings from the General Officer Commanding, Uttar Bharat Area, and the Commander of the 119 (I) Infantry Brigade Group. The discussions centred on force deployment, logistics support, and the operational challenges unique to high-altitude and forward positions.
Engagement with Field Commanders and BRO
During the Navidang leg of the tour, Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh met battalion commanders and the Chief Engineer of Project Hirak from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). Conversations focused on the status and timelines of priority road and mobility projects that are critical to sustaining operations and ensuring rapid reinforcement capability.
The Defence Secretary was accompanied by the Director General, Border Roads (DGBR), and reviewed progress reports on key projects designed to enhance access and resilience in terrain that is both logistically demanding and strategically vital.
Focus on Strategic Mobility and Infrastructure
Officials briefed the Defence Secretary on the completion status of bridging, road widening, and slope-stabilisation works that enable faster troop movement and sustainment. Many projects reviewed are part of long-term plans to reduce transit times to forward areas and to harden routes against weather disruptions.
Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh emphasised the need for timely execution and close coordination between the armed forces and engineering agencies. He highlighted that robust infrastructure is integral not only for operational readiness but also for humanitarian and disaster response in border districts.
Operational Readiness and Soldier Welfare
The Defence Secretary interacted with unit commanders to better understand ground-level operational preparedness, ammunition and supplies management, and troop morale. He also reviewed measures to improve accommodation, winterisation and medical support for personnel stationed in forward locations.
Leaders on the ground briefed him about recent training cycles, patrolling regimes and the integration of infrastructure upgrades into operational planning. The engagement reinforced leadership intent to maintain high standards of readiness while addressing the welfare needs of servicemen and women deployed in challenging conditions.
Reaffirming Government Commitment
The visit signals continued governmental priority toward bolstering border infrastructure and readiness. Such inspections are part of periodic oversight by senior Ministry of Defence officials to ensure that projects funded and executed on the ground match strategic imperatives and timelines.
For readers seeking official updates on defence infrastructure projects and BRO activities, information is available on the Border Roads Organisation and Press Information Bureau portals.
As India continues to modernise its defence infrastructure, sustained investments and frequent field oversight remain central to ensuring that frontline formations have the mobility and resilience required for national security.
