New Delhi: Between 2020 and 2024, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) recorded fatalities of a total of 704 BRO personnel and 575 casual paid labourers (CPLs) involved in construction works undertaken by the organisation, the Minister of State (Mos) for Defence Sanjay Seth has said in response to a question in Parliament.
The BRO is a key infrastructure development agency under the Ministry of Defence. It plays a vital role in constructing and maintaining road networks in India’s border areas. It has in recent years undertaken several challenging high-altitude infrastructure projects such as the Umling La Top Road, which is the world’s highest motorable road at an altitude of 19,024 feet in Ladakh. Atal Tunnel, Sela Tunnel, Khardung La and Chang La Pass roads are among other projects undertaken by the BRO.
According to the minister, the year 2021 marked the most number of fatalities among both BRO personnel and casual paid labourers—at 172 and 134, respectively. In 2020, fatalities among BRO personnel stood at 156 and CPLs at 112. In 2022, 123 BRO personnel and 100 CPLs were killed.
The next year, in 2023, 129 BRO personnel along with 119 CPLs died in the line of action. And in 2024, 124 BRO personnel and 110 CPLs were killed.
Furthermore, a total of 166 BRO personnel and CPLs suffered injuries.
Separately, the answer also includes a table on the number of accidents and other incidents in the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). According to it, 201 accidents and other incidents related to BRO personnel and civilian workers involved in construction works were recorded in 2020-2024.
On whether the government had conducted any assessment of safety risks faced by BRO personnel, particularly in high-altitude and conflict-prone areas and provision of medical support, the minister said, “The BRO has conducted safety assessment in high-altitude and conflict-prone areas for BRO personnel including mapping of avalanche prone areas, identification of sharp curves and slide prone areas, formulation of adequate safety protocol in coordination with security forces, locations for work-site camps and bunkers for safety of personnel etc.”
Seth added that measures have been taken to enhance safety protocols, medical support, and working conditions for BRO personnel and CPLs. BRO provides adequate safety aids such as safety jackets, safety helmets, raincoats, boots, and winter clothing to its employees and CPLs, he added.
“Various amenities and facilities such as snow huts, prefabricated shelters, mobile/container houses, mobile toilets, safe drinking water facilities, transportation facilities, and refreshment centres, are also provided. Safety protocols are strictly followed as per local conditions,” he said.
In addition, the minister informed Parliament that every BRO unit/work site is provisioned with adequate medical support like first aid, additional medical investigation room (AMIR), central medical investigation room (CMIR), and mobile medical health care team.
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)
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