BRO Project VARTAK marks 66th Raising Day in Tezpur

Guwahati: Border Roads Organisation’s (BRO) Project VARTAK celebrated its 66th Raising Day with pride and dedication on May 7, 2026, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening border infrastructure and enhancing connectivity in the northeast.Originally raised as Project Tusker in 1960 and rechristened as Project VARTAK in 1963, it was the first BRO project to begin road construction in India. Since then, it has played a pivotal role in providing vital connectivity in some of the most challenging and strategically sensitive regions of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.During the 1960s, Project VARTAK undertook the formidable task of improving the Bhalukpong–Tenga–Tawang axis, including formation cutting works connecting Bomdila with Sela and surfacing works from Bhalukpong to Rupa. These were executed under extremely adverse terrain and weather conditions by the personnel of 14 Border Roads Task Force.Currently, Project VARTAK operates through task forces at Tenga, Sapper Camp and Khirmu, maintaining a road network of 2,066.90 km, including high-altitude and snow-bound stretches. It is responsible for maintaining strategically important passes such as Bumla, Yangtse, Nagula, Monkey Pass and Assam Hill, ensuring year-round connectivity for both defence and civilian needs.The project is presently handling 67 roads with 119 ongoing works, maintaining 1,309.22 km of roads and conducting snow clearance operations over 550.83 km under demanding climatic conditions.Beyond infrastructure, Project VARTAK has consistently supported disaster response and humanitarian assistance during floods, landslides and other natural calamities, ensuring uninterrupted communication for local populations and defence forces.