Rajnath Singh inaugurates Kimin Potin along with 11 other roads in Assam-Arunachal Border

June 17: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday inaugurated the Kimin-Potin road in Lakhimpur district in Assam along with 11 other roads will help in smooth movements of goods & people in inaccessible areas between Assam and Arunanchal Pradesh.

During the inauguration ceremony, the same, Chief Minister of Assam Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “Better #road connectivity won’t only accelerate the pace of #development in the #NorthEast but will also enable us to respond to emergencies swiftly. Long pending cherished wishes of the people are coming true, thanks to the vision of Hon PM Sri @narendramodiJi.”

The inauguration of Kimin Potin Road along with 11 other roads will help in smooth movements of goods & people in inaccessible areas b/w Assam & Arunanchal Pradesh.

It will also lead to all round development of the region as per vision of PM Sri @narendramodi.@rajnathsingh pic.twitter.com/920usBeJvO

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) June 17, 2021

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh dedicated to the nation 12 roads, built by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in the Northern and Eastern border areas on June 17, 2021, in the presence of Chief Minister of Assam Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Shri Pema Khandu, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs & Sports, Minority Affairs and AYUSH (Independent Charge) Shri Kiren Rijiju and Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat. Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region & Minister of State, PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh was among the dignitaries who attended the event virtually.

Attended the inaugural function of the road projects constructed by BRO in the North East. The roads inaugurated today hold strategic and socio-economic importance as they will play an important role in strengthening national security and development. https://t.co/U9bj5153eS pic.twitter.com/LT7DrQOrKJ

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) June 17, 2021

At an event organised in Lakhimpur district of Assam, the Raksha Mantri e-inaugurated a 20-km long double lane Kimin-Potin road, along with nine other roads in Arunachal Pradesh and one each in the Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir. The roads have been constructed under ‘Arunank’, ‘Vartak’, ‘Brahmank’, ‘Udayak’, ‘Himank’ and ‘Sampark’ projects of BRO.

Speaking on the occasion, Rajnath Singh lauded BRO for its contribution in infrastructure development of remote border areas of the country, especially amid the COVID-19 restrictions. He said the roads inaugurated today hold strategic and socio-economic importance as they will play an important role in strengthening national security as well as promoting development of the North-East region. “These roads will be helpful in fulfilling the needs of our Armed Forces and transporting necessities like medicines and ration to remote areas,” he said.

The Defence Minister added that these road projects are part of the ‘Act East Policy’ of the Government wherein special emphasis is being laid on the overall development of the border areas. He reiterated the resolve of the Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for the development of North-east, describing the region as the gateway to not only the overall development of the country, but also to the nation’s relations with East Asian countries.

Rajnath Singh paid tribute to the soldiers who showed exemplary courage during the Galwan Valley incident last year and made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation. He said India is a peace-loving nation but its response to aggression has been resolute. The Defence Minister also touched upon some of the major reforms undertaken by the Government, including appointment of Chief of Defence Staff, measures to boost self-reliance in defence manufacturing and Corporatisation of Ordnance Factory Board (OFB). These reforms are proving to be a game changer in the military preparedness in the rapidly changing times, he said.

Rajnath Singh underlined the constant efforts of the Government to make India self-reliant in defence manufacturing under the ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ envisioned by the Prime Minister. “We are actively working towards making India a defence manufacturing hub. Self-reliance in defence production will reduce our dependence on imports, increase exports and strengthen our economy,” he said. In his address, DG Border Roads Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhry gave a brief overview of the achievements of BRO and reiterated the commitment of the organisation towards infrastructural development of border areas.