| Postal Stamp Image |
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| Stamp Issue Date |
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10/10/1985 |
| Postage Stamp Dinomination |
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2.00 |
| Postal Stamp Serial Number |
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1165 |
| Postal Stamp Name |
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STYLISED MOUNTAIN ROAD |
| Stamp Information |
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BORDER ROADS ORGANISATION
Till late fifties, road communications in the Northern & North Eastern Borders of the country were virtually non-existent. In J&K, Leh was connected with Srinagar with an indifferent Jeepable track. Sikkim had no motorable road beyond Gangtok. There was no semblance of road communication in Bhutan. In NEFA, only fair weather Jeep tracks existed upto Bomdila and Zero. Conditions in Nagaland and Mizo hills were equally unsatisfactory. Annexation of Tibet followed by massive Chinese build up left no option but to construct roads upto India's traditional borders. Construction of Roads became synonymous with the determination to defend the country of its culture and its way of life. It is with this backdrop of grave national emergency and awe-inspiring odds that Border Roads Organisation was born and became operational almost overnight.
On 29 Mar 1960, while addressing first meting of Border Roads Development Board, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India announced a special status for BRDB to cut down procedural delays and also laid down top priority for strategic roads in Ladakh and NEFA regions. The new organisation was to start with Army Engineers forming a nucleus, construct roads with a time bound programme of two years and wind up thereafter. 01 June 1960 was fixed as target date for commencement of work. Before the Chinese operations started, arterial roads of length 1400 miles had been cut at altitudes varying between 5000 and 18000 feet and 132 Border Roads personnel had laid down their lives in process. Border Roads Organisation (BRO) had had its baptism.
The BRO acquitted itself very well in support of Army both in 1962 and 65 operations and the need to make it permanent was duly recognised. It provided invaluable assistance to Army in 1971 operation also. To this day BRO has won 3 Param Vishishta Seva Medals, 10 Kirti Chakras, 2 Padam Shrees, 21 Ati-Vishishta Seva Medals, 99 Shaurya Chakras, 28 Vishishta Seva Medals and 8 Sena Medals.
The process of gradual expansion, diversification and consolidation continued after 1971 operations. By Nov. 1983, the number of Projects under BRO had increased to 12 from the initial two in June 1960. Some of the finest constructions in the country in the remote border areas is credited to BRO incluiding Tengavalley Complex for Army, 250 beds Army Hospital in Ladakh and complex for Manipur Police and Assam Rifles. Indo Bhutan microwave link, prestigious India house complex and airfield at Paro in Bhutan have also been constructed by BRO. It has made a mark on the international scene by exporting its technical expertise to West Asian Countries through IRCC Ltd.
BRO, today, has a permanent role in defense of the country and speedily economic development of inaccessible border area epitomising national integration. It stands out as a premier road construction agency of the country producing a network of 500 K.M. of well-finished roads. 18000 K.M. of roads to progress constructed in remote climatically inhospitable, barren, rocky and snow bound areas are a saga of cold courage, sheer determination and tremendous dedication.
(Text Courtesy: D.G/ Border Roads)
The Department of Posts is proud to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of the Border Roads Organisation by issuing this commemorative postage stamp.
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| Philatelic Stamp Description |
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Description of Designs
The stamp has been designed by India Security Press, Nashik Road. The First Day Cover shows snow clearance operation by Border Roads Organisation. The cancellation designs have been prepared by Nenu Bagga. |
| Stamp Currency |
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R |
| Stamp Type |
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COMMEMORATIVE |
| Stamp Language |
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English |
| Stamp Overall Size |
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Triangular |
| Postal Stamp Print Size |
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2.75 x 3. cms. |
| Number of Stamps Per Sheet |
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12 |
| Stamp Perforations |
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13 x 13 |
| Postal Stamp Shape |
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Diagonal |
| Postage Stamp Paper |
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Unwatermarked adhesive stamp paper |
| Indian Stamp Process |
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Photogravure |
| Number of stamps printed |
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15,00,000 |
| Stamp Printed At |
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India Security Press |
| Indian Stamp's Color |
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Multicolour |
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