BRO to be brought fully under defence ministry: Parrikar

New Delhi, Dec 31:

Border Road Organisation (BRO) will be brought fully under the defence ministry and non-sensitive roads in border areas will be handed over to the National Highways Authority of India, said Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.

The BRO is presently under both road transport and defence ministries. While the former allocates funds, the latter has executive control.

In an interaction with journalists Tuesday night, Parrikar said dual control has led to a sad state of affairs in the organisation.

“The BRO will be brought fully under the defence ministry. There was lot of confusion because it was under two masters,” he said.

“By the next budget it will be under defence ministry completely,” he said.

The minister added that nearly 3,000 km of roads will be transferred to NHAI in the areas which are not sensitive.

On the question of a rail link along India-China border, he said he will soon hold meetings with Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu.

On China’s objections to infrastructure development in the border areas, Parrikar dismissed them. “What we do on our side of the border is not their business,” he said. (IANS)