Pvt participation required in border infra devpt: Parrikar

Calling for the participation of private sector in developing infrastructure like roads, tunnels and bridges along the border, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today said the use of modern techniques and materials can help in overcoming the challenges involved in the task.
"Developing infrastructure along the border has become mandatory and private companies' support is required in this regard," Parrikar said.
"This is huge task and there are many challenges but these can be overcome by the use of modern techniques and materials," the Minister said, adding that construction companies need to play a big role in the task.
The Minister was addressing a national workshop on Border Roads for private sector's participation in construction of roads, bridges and tunnels in border areas, an official release said.

The aim of the workshop was to enhance private sector participation in the construction of roads, bridges and tunnels in border areas thereby enhancing the speed of construction and meeting strategic needs of the Army, the release said.
Border Road Organisation (BRO) is entrusted with the responsibility of developing infrastructure in the border areas of the country and there has been a phenomenal increase in quantum of works entrusted to it.

There exists a gap in the desired level of strategic infrastructure and construction capability of BRO. Hence, there is a need to correct this imbalance for which participation of private sector for infrastructure development in border areas has become mandatory, the release noted.

Among other issues, the workshop also addressed issues pertaining to regulatory mechanism and procedural hurdles for enhancing private sector's participation in construction.
Besides Parrikar, the workshop was attended by Defence Secretary R K Mathur, Director General, Border Roads, Lt Gen R M Mittal and Director General, CII, Chandrajit Banerjee among others.