Arunachal | 5 Border Roads Organization personnel die near Indo-China border

Nacho, 15 May, 2019:

In a tragic incident, five personnel of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) were killed in Upper Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh while constructing a steel Bailey bridge.

The incident in Arunachal dates back to May 11, when the personnel of Project Arunak were constructing a 180-feet-long bridge along the strategically important Nacho-Tama Chung Chung road near remote Limeking circle in the district that shares its border with China.

The personnel who died instantly were identified as Pioneers Baidur Rehman, Pramod Kumar, Mahabir Sah and Tapan Nath, while hydraulic operator Anil Budhwar, who had suffered grievous injuries in his spine and pelvis, died during evacuation to district headquarters Daporijo.

The bodies of the four pioneers got stuck at the bridge, but three were recovered when the last report was received and are being sent to their native places.

Rescue operations were affected due to incessant rains, besides very strong water current and high water level of the Subansiri river and steep cliff of the accident site.

A diving team, including army personnel made a valiant effort to retrieve the bodies.

The compensation as per laid down norms would be paid to the kin of the dead, while a departmental inquiry has been ordered.

The 128 Road Construction Company under the 23 Border Road Task Force is constructing the challenging road.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) develops and maintains road networks in India's border areas and friendly neighboring countries. Officers from the Border Roads Engineering Service (BRES) and personnel from the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) form the parent cadre of the Border Roads Organisation.

The BRO is also staffed by officers and troops drawn from the Indian Army's Corps of Engineers on extra regimental employment (on Deputation). Currently, the organisation maintains operations in twenty-one states, one UT (Andaman and Nicobar Islands), and neighboring countries such as Afghanistan, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka.