Date:07/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/07/stories/2008050755421300.htm

National

Gallantry awards likely for BRO engineers killed in Afghanistan

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The names of the two Border Roads Organisation (BRO) engineers recently killed in a suicide attack in Afghanistan have been recommended for gallantry awards. Despite the security risk, the BRO is confident of completing the Afghanistan road project.

The BRO loses about 300 people (including casual labourers) every year while building roads at high altitudes and in remote areas. Although army men receive most of the gallantry awards, the BRO’s contribution too has been recognised and several men have been posthumously awarded.

“By and large security measures are in place and we hope to pull out [complete the project] by July-August. About 80 per cent of the work on the Zaranj-Delaram road in Afghanistan is complete. We are working on the last 30 km of the 220-km road,” said BRO Director General Lt.Gen. A.K. Nanda on the eve of the BRO’s 48th raising day.

The road begins from near the Iran border and leads to the ring road connecting all major cities in Afghanistan. India has initiated talks on constructing a rail line from the Chabar port in Iran to a location close to the Zaranj-Delaram road.