Wikipedia

Project Vartak

Not to be confused with Vartak.

Vartak, also known as Project VARTAK is a project of the Border Roads Organisation under the Ministry of Defence of India.[5] It was formed on 7 May 1960 as a provision of the 2nd Border Roads Development Board Meeting with the then Prime Minister of India Jawahar Lal Nehru as Project Tusker, which was later renamed Project Vartak in 1963.[6] The initial task of this project was to construct and maintain roads between Bhalukpong and Tenga. It was the first established project of Border Roads Organisation. Its task was later expanded to construct and maintain roads in Arunachal Pradesh and adjoining districts of Assam. Major General O.M Mani was the first Chief Engineer of the project.[7]

Vartak
Founded7 May 1960; 64 years ago (1960-05-07)
Country India
TypeArmy, Engineering
RoleConstruction and maintenance of infrastructure in Arunachal Pradesh and adjoining Districts of Assam
HeadquartersTezpur, Assam, India
Motto(s)Patience – Perseverance – Performance[1]
AnniversariesBRO Day: 7 May ; Raising Day: 7 May[2]
Websitehttps://bro.gov.in
Commanders
Director GeneralLt. Gen. Raghu Srinivasan[3]
Chief EngineerBrigadier Harish Kumar[4]

Vartak successfully completed its initial task in October 1962, connecting Bhalukpong to Bomdila via Tenga and thus bringing motorable connectivity to these far-flung regions for the first time.[8]

Works and involvement

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Over the years, Vartak has become a major candidate for infrastructure development in western Arunachal Pradesh.[9] It has successfully completed massive projects, improving connectivity all around Arunachal Pradesh.[10] It has constructed major bridges and roads connecting the far-flung border areas of Arunachal Pradesh. Some major bridges include Yasong and Sarti bridges, Karteso Kong and Kangdang Sila bridges, Tanchen Panga bridge, Ungu bridge, Siang bridge, Sigit bridge, Sisseri Bridge.[11][12] Major roads like the Balipara-Charduar-Tawang Axis and the Guwahati-Tawang Axis are important networks for improving connectivity in border areas. Vartak is also constructing numerous tunnels to facilitate all-weather travel in regions where fog is common to shorten travelling time between isolated places in Western Arunachal Pradesh.[13] Major tunnels include the Nechiphu Tunnel and the Sela Tunnel.[14][15] Many roads connecting Bhalukpong to adjoining districts of Assam are also built.[16] Vartak had earlier constructed infrastructure for universities. Construction of residential accommodation, development of internal roads in Tezpur University, construction of the Degree & Diploma Academic blocks, and residential accommodation for the North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology(NERIST), Itanagar and the construction of residential school with boy's and girl's hostel for Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya at Gorponding in Tawang, as part of the Rural Education Development Programme are the major works. Deposit works[17] from various agencies like North East Council (NEC),[18] North Eastern Electrical Power Corporation (NEEPCO) and Oil India were undertaken by this Project[19] The headquarters of Vartak in Tezpur also hosts a primary school within it offering primary education for the children of the personnels as well as civilians.[20]

Vartak specializes in constructing motorable roads and bridges in mountainous regions bringing connectivity to many isolated towns in Western Arunachal Pradesh.[21][22]

Command structure

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Vartak initially started with four Task Forces. These Task Forces were spread across various regions, each specializing in different works.[23]

Initial Task Forces
Task Force Location
1 BRTF Likabali
7 BRTF Basar, Arunachal Pradesh
3 BRTF Moridhal – Sassi – Burgaon region
14 BRTF Bhalukpong – Tenga – Tawang Axis

Between 1967 and 1971, there was a major reorganization of Task Forces.[24] 7 Border Roads Task Force was disbanded in April 1967. 4 Border Roads Task Force was re-organised as 39 Maintenance Task Force and in January 1971 moved to Dimwe in Lohit District and subsequently renamed as 48 Border Roads Task Force. 3 Border Roads Task Force was renamed as 44 Maintenance Task Force in September 1970 and re-organised as 44 Border Roads Task Force in May 1972 . 1310 Fractional Task Force was raised in April 1984, re-organised in December 1986 as 756 Border Roads Task Force and was located at Ziro. 756 Task Force Headquarters subsequently to moved Naharlagun in February 1998.[25] To cope up with the increased work load two new Task Forces were introduced, 763 Border Roads Task Force and 42 Border Roads Task Force. 48 Border Roads Task Force was later merged with Project Udayak.[26] Subsequently, 756 Border Roads Task Force and 44 Border Roads Task Force were merged with Project Arunak to ease the workload.[27][28]

Bridge construction

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In 1986, Border Roads Organisation decided to go in for construction of permanent bridges departmentally.[29] This resulted in the creation of a Bridge Construction Company, 1441 BCC, which was allotted to Vartak. The first bridge constructed by 1441 BCC was a pre-stressed concrete bridge Kamla II on the Balipara – Charduar – Tawang road.[30] Subsequently, six more permanent bridges were completed by 1993. 1441 BCC continues to construct high-quality permanent bridges, even at altitudes of over 10,000 feet and across swift mountain rivers in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.[31][32]

Major works

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Works Notes
Tawang Axis Guwahati to Tawang route boosting border connectivity.[33]
Balipara - Charduar - Tawang Axis Increasing connectivity to the Indo-Chinese Border in Tawang.[34][35]
Trans Arunachal Highway (NH-13) Part of Balipara - Charduar - Tawang Road developed to NHDL specifications.[36]
SARDP-NE Development of Roads and Highways in North-Eastern India.[37][38]
Sela Tunnel An All-weather connectivity between Guwahati and Tawang in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh.[39] The tunnel is being excavated below the 4,200 metres Sela Pass. To be completed in mid-2022.[40]
Nechiphu Tunnel Constructed along the Balipara - Charduar - Tawang Axis. To be completed in early-2022.[41]

References

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  1. ^ "Border Roads Organisation". 21 September 2010. Archived from the original on 21 September 2010. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  2. ^ "61st Raising Day of Border Roads celebration by Project Vartak - Sentinelassam". www.sentinelassam.com. 8 May 2021. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  3. ^ "Lt General Raghu Srinivasan assumes charge as Border Roads Organisation chief". India Today. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  4. ^ "Border Road Organization organized Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav in Tezpur - Sentinelassam". www.sentinelassam.com. 18 August 2021. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  5. ^ "The Elite Force of Border Roads Organisation". Team-BHP.com. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  6. ^ "Border Roads Organisation - JournalsOfIndia". 14 October 2020. Archived from the original on 28 October 2021. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  7. ^ "History of Project Vartak" (PDF). Border Roads Organisation. 6 March 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  8. ^ "CM raises concern over delay in Bhalukpong-Bomdila road – Arunachal Pradesh". www.arunachalpradesh.gov.in. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  9. ^ "Bolstering defences". The Statesman. 28 June 2021. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  10. ^ "Arunachal Pradesh CM inaugurates two bridges near India-China border". The Times of India. TNN. 24 May 2020. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  11. ^ Gurung, Shaurya Karanbir. "Border Roads Organisation constructs strategic bridge in Arunachal Pradesh". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  12. ^ "From key bridges to strategically crucial tunnels, a look at BRO's infra push in North East". Firstpost. 26 October 2020. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  13. ^ "Sela Tunnel in final stage, promises all-weather connectivity to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh". ANI News. Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  14. ^ "Last blast of escape tube of under-construction Sela Tunnel conducted". Devdiscourse. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  15. ^ "BRO's all-weather Nechiphu tunnel aims to cut short time for convoy movement towards China border". ANI News. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  16. ^ "BRO to construct tunnels to cut down distance to China border". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  17. ^ "CHAPTER XVIII". indianrailways.gov.in. Archived from the original on 27 June 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  18. ^ "NER Vision 2020". necouncil.gov.in. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  19. ^ "Vartak with NERIST". easternmirrornagaland.com. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  20. ^ "Tezpur Vartak Model School celebrates 23rd annual day - Sentinelassam". www.sentinelassam.com. 20 December 2018. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  21. ^ "BRO pushes for early completion of road projects in Arunachal Pradesh". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  22. ^ "Twelve roads built by BRO in Northern & Eastern border areas dedicated to nation". www.projectstoday.com. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  23. ^ "Additional DGBR visits Project Vartak in West Kamang and Tawang district". www.sentinelassam.com. 15 March 2019. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  24. ^ "CA NO. 44 BRTF - Border Roads Organisation". yumpu.com. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  25. ^ "CBI nets BRTF officer". www.telegraphindia.com. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  26. ^ "Arunachal : Carpeting of Brahmakund - Chowkham road completes". 21 October 2018. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  27. ^ "756 BRTF adjudged best task force". 11 May 2007. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  28. ^ "763 BRTF ( Project Vartak ) Organised Tawang Marathon 2017". 13 February 2017. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  29. ^ Gurung, Shaurya Karanbir. "Border Roads Organisation constructs strategic bridge in Arunachal Pradesh". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  30. ^ "History of Project Vartak" (PDF). Border Roads Organisation. 6 March 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  31. ^ "eProcurement System Government of India". eprocure.gov.in. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  32. ^ "Sub Soil Investigation Design, Drawing And Construction Of 135 Mtr Span Major Permanent Pinjoli Bridge Over Pinjoli Nallah Including Approach Roads At Km 49pt750 On Road Bct Under 1441 Bcc 14 Brtf Pro". Mena Report: NA. 2 March 2021.
  33. ^ "LAC Dispatch: New Guwahati-Tawang Axis to Come Up in 2 Years; Surveillance Tech in Focus". News18. 19 October 2021. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  34. ^ "Balipara-Charduar-Tawang Road to be completed by 2021 - Sentinelassam". www.sentinelassam.com. 29 August 2018. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  35. ^ "Four lane work of BCT Road affected due to compensation issue". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 11 February 2019. Archived from the original on 25 October 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  36. ^ "Two-laning of Highways through Public Private Partnership" (PDF). NITI Aayog. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 July 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  37. ^ "SARDP including Arunachal Pradesh Package". morth.nic.in. Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  38. ^ "Our Projects – Ttcinfraindia". Archived from the original on 22 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  39. ^ Pandit, Rajat (21 October 2021). "Strategic Sela Tunnel for Tawang to be completed by mid-2022". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  40. ^ "Arunachal's Sela Tunnel To Ensure Better Troops, Weapon Movement: Army". NDTV.com. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  41. ^ "Foundation stone of Nechiphu Tunnel on road to China border in Arunachal laid by Rajnath Singh". Hindustan Times. 12 October 2020. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
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