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{{Short description|Military roads engineering project}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Shivalik
| image =
| country = {{IND}}
| type = [[Army]], [[Engineering]]
| role = Construction and maintenance of infrastructure in Uttarakhand, focusing in connectivity to [[Char Dham]] and the [[Bharatmala|Bharatmala project]].
| garrison = [[Rishikesh]], [[Uttarakhand]], [[India]]
| garrison_label = Headquarters
| motto = Shramena Sarvam Sadhyam
| anniversaries = BRO Day: 7 May ; Raising Day: 25 February
| website = [https://bro.gov.in https://bro.gov.in]
| commander1 = [[Lieutenant General (India)|Lieutenant general]]
Raghu Srinivasan<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lt General Raghu Srinivasan assumes charge as Border Roads Organisation chief |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/lt-general-raghu-srinivasan-assumes-charge-as-border-roads-organisation-chief-2442853-2023-10-01 |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=India Today |language=en |format=PDF|archive-date=24 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231024022437/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/lt-general-raghu-srinivasan-assumes-charge-as-border-roads-organisation-chief-2442853-2023-10-01 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| commander1_label = [[Director general|Director General]]
| commander2 = [[Colonel (India)|Colonel]] Puneet Jain (2021)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-17 |title=Authorisation letter for forest clearance |url=https://forestsclearance.nic.in/DownloadPdfFile.aspx?FileName=4116124612113LQ0Qauthorizationletter.pdf&FilePath=../writereaddata/FormA/UserAgencydoc/ |access-date=2023-11-05 |website= parivesh.nic.in}}</ref>
| commander2_label = Chief Engineer
| start_date = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2009|02|25}}
}}

'''Shivalik''', also known as '''Project SHIVALIK''' is a project of the [[Border Roads Organisation]] under the [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defence]] of [[India]]. It was established on 25 February 2009 to expedite the road infrastructure developmental works in [[Uttarakhand]].<ref name="archivedprojectpage">{{Cite web |date=2014 |title=Project Shivalik |url=http://bro.gov.in/indexmain.asp?lang=1&projectid=57&cat_id=2|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150916074817/http://bro.gov.in/indexmain.asp?lang=1&projectid=57&cat_id=2 |archive-date=2015-09-16 |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=Border Roads Organisation}}</ref> The project mainly focuses in maintaining [[India–China Border Roads|India–China border roads]] in the region while also providing year long connectivity to [[Char Dham]]. It also plays a vital role in the [[Bharatmala|Bharatmala project]] in the region.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Project Shivalik, Celebrates 13 years of Service to Nation on 25 Feb |url=https://twitter.com/BROindia/status/1497103540460093445 |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=X (formerly Twitter) |language=en |archive-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225065824/https://twitter.com/BROindia/status/1497103540460093445 |url-status=live }}</ref> Apart from these, the project also contributes in [[Humanitarian aid|humanitarian assistance]] and [[Emergency management|disaster relief]] along with other agencies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=India has emerged as first responder in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) at global level: CDS Gen. Anil Chauhan |url=https://pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1906761 |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=pib.gov.in}}</ref>

==Command structure==
The project is mainly divided into 21st task force and the 36th task force. Both of these task forces include numerous [[Company (military unit)|companies]] which in turn include [[platoon]]s and [[Detachment (military)|detachments]]. The task forces are headed by a [[commander]] while the companies are headed by an [[officer commanding]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009 |title=Organisation Chart: HQ Shivalik |url=https://bro.gov.in/WriteReadData/linkimages/9308407623-Organisation%20Chart.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=Border Roads Organisation |archive-date=17 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517005320/http://bro.gov.in/WriteReadData/linkimages/9308407623-Organisation%20Chart.pdf }}</ref>

==Works and involvements==
Shivalik maintains more than {{convert|1000|km|mi}} of roads and bridge infrastructure all around the mountainous terrain of Uttarakhand which include national highways and general staff roads which are in line with defence requirements.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2004 |title=ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004 |url=https://morth.nic.in/sites/default/files/68.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=Ministry of Road Transport and Highways |page=1 |archive-date=12 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212100555/https://morth.nic.in/sites/default/files/68.pdf }}</ref> The project works in two sectors, [[Joshimath]] and [[Harsil]]. The project also maintains vital infrastructure in the remote areas of Sumna, Rimkhim and [[Lapthal]] near the [[Line of Actual Control|line of actual control]] between [[India]] and [[China]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pioneer |first=The |title=DGBR visits Project Shivalik headquarters to review work |url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2018/state-editions/dgbr-visits-project-shivalik-headquarters-to-review-work.html |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=The Pioneer |language=en |archive-date=5 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231105161521/https://www.dailypioneer.com/2018/state-editions/dgbr-visits-project-shivalik-headquarters-to-review-work.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In early 2012, when the project was under [[Ministry of Road Transport and Highways]], it faced lack of funding and work orders which caused a tussle between the project and the ministry. Later in 2015, the entirety of [[Border Roads Organisation]] was brought under the [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defence]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=K |first=Sruthijith K. |date=2013-07-13 |title=BRO-Roads Ministry tussle hits Uttarakhand projects |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/infrastructure/bro-roads-ministry-tussle-hits-uttarakhand-projects/articleshow/21047526.cms |access-date=2023-11-05 |issn=0013-0389 |archive-date=5 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231105160424/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/infrastructure/bro-roads-ministry-tussle-hits-uttarakhand-projects/articleshow/21047526.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>

During the [[2012 Himalayan flash floods]], due to a [[Cloudburst|cloud burst]] in the [[Uttarkashi district]] of Uttarakhand, a [[National highways of India|national highway]] suffered extensive damage which cut lines of communication in the [[Dharasu]]-[[Gangotri]] route. The project constructed two [[bailey bridge]]s and repaired the roads restoring connectivity. In another instance in the same year, the project facilitated the restoration of the blockage of several major roads due to a cloud burst in [[Ukhimath]] of [[Rudraprayag district]].<ref name="archivedprojectpage"/>

During the [[2021 Uttarakhand flood]], 13 villages in [[Chamoli district]] of Uttarakhand were cut off due to [[flash flood]]s. Major damages occurred in [[Rini, Uttarakhand|Raini village]] where a [[glacial lake outburst flood]] in the [[Rishiganga|Rishiganga river]] had washed away a {{convert|90|m|mi}} bridge which was the only connection to [[Niti Valley|Niti valley]]. The flash floods also washed away a [[Hydroelectricity|hydroelectric plant]] in the area which trapped more than 200 workers. The project deployed engineers and troops who constructed a {{convert|200|m|mi}} long [[bailey bridge]] restoring connectivity in record time.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-02-12 |title=Glacier Burst: अपने ही देश से कट चुके दर्जनों गांवों को कब तक जोड़ दिया जाएगा?{{!}} AS Rathore |url=https://www.abplive.com/videos/states/up-uk-bro-chief-engineer-and-head-of-shivalik-project-as-rathore-on-raini-village-rescue-operation-1769360 |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=www.abplive.com |language=hi |archive-date=5 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231105160909/https://www.abplive.com/videos/states/up-uk-bro-chief-engineer-and-head-of-shivalik-project-as-rathore-on-raini-village-rescue-operation-1769360 |url-status=live }}</ref> The project also took assistance from the [[Indian Air Force]]. The bridge was named ''The Bridge of Compassion'' to pay tribute to the workers who lost their lives in the hydroelectric plant.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BRO restores connectivity to 13 border villages of Uttarakhand's Chamoli district cut off due flash floods, in record time; |url=https://pib.gov.in/pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1702755 |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=pib.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-02-12 |title=BRO does it again! Re-establishes connectivity in Chamoli Distt |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/business/roadways-bro-does-it-again-re-establishes-connectivity-in-chamoli-distt-2193579/ |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=Financialexpress |language=en |archive-date=5 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231105160527/https://www.financialexpress.com/business/roadways-bro-does-it-again-re-establishes-connectivity-in-chamoli-distt-2193579/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Apart from these, the project also organises [[Welfare spending|social welfare]] campaigns for the locals residing in the region. In 2022, the project organised [[marathon]]s, car expeditions, [[Health campaign|health camps]], [[Swachh Bharat Mission|sanitation and cleanliness drives]], [[Blood donation in India|blood donation camps]] and [[Social consciousness|social awareness]] programs related to [[Road traffic safety|road safety]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bureau |first=Uttarakhand Himalaya |date=2023-02-25 |title=PROJECT SHIVALIK OF BRO CELEBRATES 15TH RAISING DAY |url=https://uttarakhandhimalaya.in/project-shivalik-of-bro-celebrates-15th-raising-day/ |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=Uttarakhand Himalaya |language=en |archive-date=5 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231105160420/https://uttarakhandhimalaya.in/project-shivalik-of-bro-celebrates-15th-raising-day/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In May 2023, the project was lauded by the [[Minister of Defence (India)#Ministers of State|Minister of State for Defence]] [[Ajay Bhatt (politician)|Ajay Bhatt]] for its remarkable achievements in building road infrastructure and facilitating tourism.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Raksha Rajya Mantri visits Headquarters, Project Shivalik of BRO in Rishikesh – Indian Bureaucracy is an Exclusive News Portal |url=https://www.indianbureaucracy.com/raksha-rajya-mantri-visits-headquarters-project-shivalik-of-bro-in-rishikesh/ |access-date=2023-11-05 |language=en-US |archive-date=5 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231105162104/https://www.indianbureaucracy.com/raksha-rajya-mantri-visits-headquarters-project-shivalik-of-bro-in-rishikesh/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In November 2023, the project assisted in the [[Uttarakhand tunnel rescue]] by facilitating the transportation of heavy machinery and providing coordination between different agencies. The project constructed a {{convert|1.15|km|mi}} road in record time to the drilling site along with 50 box [[Culvert|culverts]] and 50m of [[Pipe (fluid conveyance)|concrete pipes]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-11-28 |title=Border Road Organization: Silent force behind Silkiyara Tunnel rescue operation|work=Asian News International |url=https://aninews.in/news/national/general-news/border-road-organization-silent-force-behind-silkiyara-tunnel-rescue-operation20231128214237/ |access-date=2023-11-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=How Border Roads Organisation Aided The Himalayan Rescue Op |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/how-border-roads-organisation-aided-the-himalayan-rescue-op-4615394 |access-date=2023-11-28 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref>

In January 2024, [[Minister of Defence (India)|defence minister]] [[Rajnath Singh]] inaugurated the {{Convert|93|m|ft}} long Dhak bridge on the Joshimath - Malari Road among 34 other projects across the country. The bridge improved connectivity to the [[Niti Valley|Niti valley]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Raksha Mantri inaugurates 29 bridges & six roads constructed by BRO across seven States/Union Territories at a cost of Rs 670 crore |url=https://pib.gov.in/pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1997743 |access-date=2024-01-19 |website=pib.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh begins Uttarakhand visit; to inaugurate 35 BRO projects |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/english/state/uttarakhand/union-defence-minister-rajnath-singh-uttarakhand-visit-bro-projects/na20240119132540849849015 |access-date=2024-01-19 |website=ETV Bharat News |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Project Dantak]]
* [[Project Vartak]]

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Border Roads Organisation]]
[[Category:Transport in Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:2009 establishments in India]]

Project Shivalik - Revision history

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