Project Vartak Explained

Project Vartak should not be confused with Vartak.

Unit Name:Vartak
Type:Army, Engineering
Role:Construction and maintenance of infrastructure in Arunachal Pradesh and adjoining Districts of Assam
Garrison:Tezpur, Assam, India
Garrison Label:Headquarters
Motto:Patience – Perseverance – Performance[1]
Anniversaries:BRO Day: 7 May ; Raising Day: 7 May[2]
Website:https://bro.gov.in
Commander1:Lt. Gen. Raghu Srinivasan[3]
Commander1 Label:Director General
Commander2:Brigadier Harish Kumar[4]
Commander2 Label:Chief Engineer

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 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

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

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 BRTFLikabali
7 BRTFBasar, Arunachal Pradesh
3 BRTFMoridhal – Sassi – Burgaon region
14 BRTFBhalukpong – 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

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

! Works! Notes
Tawang AxisGuwahati to Tawang route boosting border connectivity.[33]
Balipara - Charduar - Tawang AxisIncreasing 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-NEDevelopment of Roads and Highways in North-Eastern India.[37] [38]
Sela TunnelAn 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 TunnelConstructed along the Balipara - Charduar - Tawang Axis. To be completed in early-2022.[41]

References

  1. Web site: 2010-09-21. Border Roads Organisation. 2021-10-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20100921085952/http://www.bro.nic.in/index2.asp?sublinkid=289. 21 September 2010.
  2. Web site: 2021-05-08. 61st Raising Day of Border Roads celebration by Project Vartak - Sentinelassam. 2021-10-19. www.sentinelassam.com. en. 19 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211019185816/https://www.sentinelassam.com/north-east-india-news/assam-news/61st-raising-day-of-border-roads-celebration-by-project-vartak-537445. live.
  3. Web site: Lt General Raghu Srinivasan assumes charge as Border Roads Organisation chief . 2023-10-02 . India Today . en.
  4. Web site: 2021-08-18. Border Road Organization organized Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav in Tezpur - Sentinelassam. 2021-10-21. www.sentinelassam.com. en. 21 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211021173124/https://www.sentinelassam.com/north-east-india-news/assam-news/border-road-organization-organized-azadi-ka-amrit-mahotsav-in-tezpur-550947. live.
  5. Web site: The Elite Force of Border Roads Organisation. 2021-10-21. Team-BHP.com. en. 21 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211021184442/https://www.team-bhp.com/news/elite-force-border-roads-organisation. live.
  6. Web site: 2020-10-14. Border Roads Organisation - JournalsOfIndia. 2021-10-19. en-US. 28 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211028120405/https://journalsofindia.com/border-roads-organisation/. dead.
  7. Web site: 2019-03-06. History of Project Vartak. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20211019185644/http://bro.gov.in/WriteReadData/linkimages/8903043223-project%20history.pdf. 2021-10-19. 2021-10-20. Border Roads Organisation.
  8. Web site: CM raises concern over delay in Bhalukpong-Bomdila road – Arunachal Pradesh. 2021-10-19. www.arunachalpradesh.gov.in. 19 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211019191320/http://www.arunachalpradesh.gov.in/cm-raises-concern-over-delay-in-bhalukpong-bomdila-road/. live.
  9. Web site: 2021-06-28. Bolstering defences. 2021-10-21. The Statesman. en-US. 21 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211021184437/https://www.thestatesman.com/supplements/north/bolstering-defences-1502977072.html. live.
  10. Web site: TNN. May 24, 2020. Arunachal Pradesh CM inaugurates two bridges near India-China border. 2021-10-21. The Times of India. en. 21 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211021191314/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/itanagar/arunachal-pradesh-cm-inaugurates-two-bridges-near-india-china-border/articleshow/75939138.cms. live.
  11. News: Gurung. Shaurya Karanbir. Border Roads Organisation constructs strategic bridge in Arunachal Pradesh. The Economic Times. 2021-10-21. 21 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211021190552/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/border-roads-organisation-constructs-strategic-bridge-in-arunachal-pradesh/articleshow/75255064.cms. live.
  12. Web site: 2020-10-26. From key bridges to strategically crucial tunnels, a look at BRO's infra push in North East. 2021-10-21. Firstpost. en. 21 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211021184441/https://www.firstpost.com/india/from-key-bridges-to-strategically-crucial-tunnels-a-look-at-border-roads-organisations-infra-push-in-north-east-8953541.html. live.
  13. Web site: Sela Tunnel in final stage, promises all-weather connectivity to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. 2021-10-24. ANI News. en. 20 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211220024023/https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/sela-tunnel-in-final-stage-promises-all-weather-connectivity-to-tawang-in-arunachal-pradesh20211022065452/. live.
  14. Web site: Last blast of escape tube of under-construction Sela Tunnel conducted. 2021-10-21. Devdiscourse. en. 21 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211021184443/https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/1662073-last-blast-of-escape-tube-of-under-construction-sela-tunnel-conducted. live.
  15. Web site: BRO's all-weather Nechiphu tunnel aims to cut short time for convoy movement towards China border. 2021-10-21. ANI News. en. 21 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211021184436/https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/bros-all-weather-nechiphu-tunnel-aims-to-cut-short-time-for-convoy-movement-towards-china-border20211018190704/. live.
  16. News: BRO to construct tunnels to cut down distance to China border. The Economic Times. 2021-10-21. 21 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211021184436/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/bro-to-construct-tunnels-to-cut-down-distance-to-china-border/articleshow/59736787.cms. live.
  17. Web site: CHAPTER XVIII. 2021-10-24. indianrailways.gov.in. 27 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230627183144/https://indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/codesmanual/EngCode/chapter-xviii.htm#:~:text=Definition.,funds%20from%20non-railway%20sources.. live.
  18. Web site: NER Vision 2020. 2021-10-21. necouncil.gov.in. 21 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211021191422/http://necouncil.gov.in/about-us/nec-vision-2020-0. live.
  19. Web site: Vartak with NERIST. 2021-10-21. easternmirrornagaland.com. 21 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211021173126/https://easternmirrornagaland.com/india-priest-of-world-peace-but-capable-of-replying-to-aggression-rajnath/. live.
  20. Web site: 2018-12-20. Tezpur Vartak Model School celebrates 23rd annual day - Sentinelassam. 2021-10-21. www.sentinelassam.com. en. 21 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211021185118/https://www.sentinelassam.com/north-east-india-news/assam-news/tezpur-vartak-model-school-celebrates-23rd-annual-day/. live.
  21. Web site: BRO pushes for early completion of road projects in Arunachal Pradesh. 2021-10-21. The New Indian Express. 21 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211021184436/https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/jul/17/bro-pushes-for-early-completion-of-road-projects-in-arunachal-pradesh-2170789.html. live.
  22. Web site: Twelve roads built by BRO in Northern & Eastern border areas dedicated to nation. 2021-10-21. www.projectstoday.com. 21 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211021184912/https://www.projectstoday.com/News/Twelve-roads-built-by-BRO-in-Northern--Eastern-border-areas-dedicated-to-nation. live.
  23. Web site: 2019-03-15. Additional DGBR visits Project Vartak in West Kamang and Tawang district. 2021-10-21. www.sentinelassam.com. en. 21 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211021190249/https://www.sentinelassam.com/north-east-india-news/assam-news/additional-dgbr-visits-project-vartak-in-west-kamang-and-tawang-district/. live.
  24. Web site: CA NO. 44 BRTF - Border Roads Organisation. 2021-10-21. yumpu.com. en. 21 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211021235727/https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/6861134/ca-no-44-brtf-border-roads-organisation. live.
  25. Web site: CBI nets BRTF officer. 2021-10-21. www.telegraphindia.com. 21 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211021172008/https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/cbi-nets-brtf-officer/cid/326499. live.
  26. Web site: 2018-10-21. Arunachal : Carpeting of Brahmakund - Chowkham road completes. 2021-10-21. en-US. 21 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211021174137/https://arunachal24.in/arunachal-carpeting-of-brahmakund-chowkham-road-completes/. live.
  27. Web site: . 2007-05-11. 756 BRTF adjudged best task force. 2021-10-21. en. 21 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211021174131/https://www.oneindia.com/2007/05/11/756-brtf-adjudged-best-task-force-1178876274.html. live.
  28. Web site: 2017-02-13. 763 BRTF (Project Vartak) Organised Tawang Marathon 2017. 2021-10-23. en-US. 3 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230203080813/https://arunachal24.in/763-brtf-project-vartak-organised-tawang-marathon-2017/. live.
  29. News: Gurung. Shaurya Karanbir. Border Roads Organisation constructs strategic bridge in Arunachal Pradesh. The Economic Times. 2021-10-21. 21 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211021175321/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/border-roads-organisation-constructs-strategic-bridge-in-arunachal-pradesh/articleshow/75255064.cms?from=mdr. live.
  30. Web site: 2019-03-06. History of Project Vartak. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20211019185644/http://bro.gov.in/WriteReadData/linkimages/8903043223-project%20history.pdf. 2021-10-19. 2021-10-20. Border Roads Organisation.
  31. Web site: eProcurement System Government of India. 2021-10-21. eprocure.gov.in. 21 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211021175025/https://eprocure.gov.in/eprocure/app?component=$DirectLink&page=FrontEndViewTender&service=direct&sp=SIAJGBboF2a1i9ApURC/Y2A. live.
  32. 2021-03-02. 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. English. NA.
  33. Web site: 2021-10-19. LAC Dispatch: New Guwahati-Tawang Axis to Come Up in 2 Years; Surveillance Tech in Focus. 2021-10-21. News18. en. 21 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211021184436/https://www.news18.com/news/india/lac-dispatch-new-guwahati-tawang-axis-to-come-up-in-2-years-surveillance-tech-in-focus-4338239.html. live.
  34. Web site: 2018-08-29. Balipara-Charduar-Tawang Road to be completed by 2021 - Sentinelassam. 2021-10-21. www.sentinelassam.com. en. 21 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211021184441/https://www.sentinelassam.com/north-east-india-news/arunachal-news/balipara-charduar-tawang-road-to-be-completed-by-2021/. live.
  35. News: Press Trust of India. 2019-02-11. Four lane work of BCT Road affected due to compensation issue. Business Standard India. 2021-10-22. 25 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211025203952/https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/four-lane-work-of-bct-road-affected-due-to-compensation-issue-119021101013_1.html. live.
  36. Web site: Two-laning of Highways through Public Private Partnership. live. 2021-10-21. NITI Aayog. 2 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210702111229/https://niti.gov.in/planningcommission.gov.in/docs/sectors/ppp_report/reports_guidelines/Manuals%20of%20Standards%20and%20Specifications/Manual%20of%20Specifications%20%26%20Standards%20for%20Two-laning%20of%20Highways.pdf.
  37. Web site: SARDP including Arunachal Pradesh Package. Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India. 2021-10-21. morth.nic.in. 21 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211021185947/https://morth.nic.in/sardp-including-arunachal-pradesh-package. live.
  38. Web site: Our Projects – Ttcinfraindia. 2021-10-21. en-US. 22 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211022001839/https://ttcinfraindia.com/projects/. dead.
  39. Web site: Pandit. Rajat. October 21, 2021. Strategic Sela Tunnel for Tawang to be completed by mid-2022. 2021-10-21. The Times of India. en. 21 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211021184441/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/strategic-sela-tunnel-for-tawang-to-be-completed-by-mid-2022/articleshow/87190700.cms. live.
  40. Web site: Arunachal's Sela Tunnel To Ensure Better Troops, Weapon Movement: Army. 2021-10-21. NDTV.com. 21 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211021184436/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/sela-tunnel-in-arunachal-to-ensure-better-movement-of-troops-and-weaponry-officials-2583554. live.
  41. Web site: 2020-10-12. Foundation stone of Nechiphu Tunnel on road to China border in Arunachal laid by Rajnath Singh. 2021-10-21. Hindustan Times. en. 21 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211021184910/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/foundation-stone-of-nechiphu-tunnel-on-road-to-china-border-in-arunachal-laid-by-rajnath-singh/story-NWlSkilcvJaJch7eiXPk7H.html. live.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Project Vartak".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.