Why in the News?

Border Roads Organisation (BRO) Project Swastik celebrated its 65th Raising Day on October 01, 2025.

About Project Swastik:

Origin: Established in 1960 as Project DRAGON, renamed Project Swastik on 1 October 1963.
Organisation: A flagship initiative of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) under the Ministry of Defence.
Mandate: Construction and maintenance of strategic roads, bridges, and tunnels in the high-altitude Himalayan terrain.
Area of Responsibility: Covers North and East Sikkim up to forward border areas, also parts of North Bengal. The region is prone to landslides, fragile geology (Phyllites, Schists), and extreme weather conditions.
Strategic Role: Provides vital support for Armed Forces mobility, disaster relief operations, and socio-economic connectivity for remote communities.

Road & Bridge Network: Built and maintained over 1,412 km of roads and 80 major bridges since inception.
Recent Achievements: In the last decade, completed 350 km of new roads, 26 bridges, and 1 tunnel, ensuring year-round access to forward areas.
Key Road Links: Developed lifelines like the Gangtok–Chungthang and Gangtok–Nathula roads, critical for defence and civilian movement.
Disaster Response: Effectively restored connectivity after Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), cloudbursts, and Teesta River floods. Widely praised during the 2023 Sikkim flash floods.