Border Roads Engineering Services
The Border Roads Engineering Service (IAST: Seema Sadak Abhiyantriki Seva), often abbreviated to B.R.E.S., or simply BRES is a prestigious Group 'A' central service[1] recruited through the Engineering services examination[2] of the Union Public Service Commission. The officers of this service are responsible for administering the Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering organisation of the Border Roads Organization. BRES is a Uniformed Engineering Service which is responsible for Engineering Developmental and administrative works under Border Roads Organization. Currently BRO is working in 14 States including one U.T. Andaman & Nicobar[3]. BRO is entrusted for construction of Roads, Bridges, Tunnels, Causeways, Helipads and Airfields along with Maintenance of stated Structures.
History
In 1960, an urgent need for a single executive body for road development in the remote North and North Eastern Regions of the country was strongly felt. Thus on 29 March 1960[4], the Border Roads Development Board (BRDB) as an inter- ministerial body with the status of a department was set up, under the Chairmanship of the then Prime Minister, Late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, to co-ordinate an economically viable plan for expeditious execution of roads and other development Projects, aimed primarily at enhancing the Defense potential of the country and at the same time accelerating the socio-economic development of the North and North Eastern Border States. Thus, Border Roads Development Board (BRDB) came into existence in March 1960 and the Force named General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) was raised on 16 June 1960. The Director General Border Roads (DGBR) is the field arm of the Border Roads Development Board (BRDB). Consequently, Border Roads Engineering Services was created in 1977 to provide Technical Experts in the field of Road/Bridge/Tunnel/Airfield Engineering.
Recruitment and Training
The recruitment to the BRES is done through the Indian Engineering Services examination. The selected candidates of Civil and Mechanical Engineering undergo a two year probation and one year of Young Officers Training Module conducted with various Engineering establishments. Recently many changes in training modules have been introduced to increase officers’ knowledge and introduce them to challenges in the field of Engineering. The training of BRES officers is done at College of Military Engineering, Kirkee Pune, Indian Academy of Highway Engineers (IAHE) Noida and Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad.[5]
Role and function
The Civil engineering cadre is considered the main arm of Border Roads Organization. They are providing their expertise to Indian Armed Forces and to State Governments for almost all developmental works in border states. During natural calamity and disasters these officers, along with Mechanical Engineering officers, reinstall Road connectivity and communication within few hours of incidents. When other agencies took years to launch and construct Bridges, these officers do the same work in few days.
The training of BRES officers is done at College of Military Engineering, Kirkee Pune, Indian Academy of Highway Engineers (IAHE) Noida and Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad.[6]
The Civil engineering cadre is considered the main arm of Border Roads Organization. They are providing their expertise to Indian Armed Forces and to State Governments for almost all developmental works in border states. During natural calamity and disasters these officers, along with Mechanical Engineering officers, reinstall Road connectivity and communication within few hours of incidents. When other agencies took years to launch and construct Bridges, these officers do the same work in few days.
From Himalayan Range to Desert of Rajasthan, from Rain forest of North east to Andaman Nicobar, India changes extraordinarily while connectivity remains a nightmare for others; Border Roads Engineering Service comes with handy solutions and practical ground expertise. These officers are also responsible for maintenance of all fixed assets of Border States, i.e. Bridges, Roads, Tunnels, Airport etc.
Their role and responsibility varies with time-
During Peace
1. To Develop & Maintain the Operational Road Infrastructure of General Staff (GS) in the Border Areas.
2. To Contribute to the Socio-Economic Development of the Border States.
During War
1. To Develop & Maintain Roads to Keep Line of Control through in Original Sectors and Re-deployed Sectors.
2. To Execute Additional Engineering Tasks (Civilian) as laid down by the Govt Contributing to the War Effort.[7] Generally a BRES officer is on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Career Progression
| Insignia | Grade/level on pay
matrix |
Position in the state
government(s) |
Basic salary
(monthly) |
Service required
for Promotion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HAG scale(pay level 15) | Additional Director
General Border Roads |
₹182200-
224100 |
Total 25 years of
Service | |
| Senior administrative
grade (pay level 14) |
Chief Engineer Border
Roads |
₹144200-
218200 |
Total 17 years of
Service | |
| Selection grade (pay
level 13) |
Superintending Engineer
Border Roads |
₹123100-
215900 |
Total 13 years of
Service | |
| Junior administrative
grade (pay level 12) |
Executive Engineer
(NFSG) |
₹78,800-
209200 |
Total 9 years of
Service | |
| Senior time scale (pay
level 11) |
Executive Engineer | ₹67,700-
208700 |
Total 4 years of
Service | |
| Junior Time Scale (pay
level 10) |
Assistant Executive
Engineer |
₹56,100-
175500 |
Direct Recruitment
by UPSC |
Ranks and insignia
Border Roads Engineering Service is a Uniformed Service. The Rank structure of BRES is based on Indian Air force and Indian Navy. Though the standard uniform color is Khaki similar to Indian Police Service (IPS) Officers. BRES is a perfect blend of civil and military powers in the domain of development which none other service can provide. The Border Roads Engineering Service (BRES) officers are governed by Central Civil Services (CCS/ CCA) Rules, 1965. They are also subjected to few provisions of The Army Act, 1950 and Army Rules, 1954 for disciplinary purpose only.
Facilities and Perks
The Border Roads Organization comes under Ministry of Defense. General Reserve Engineering Force is considered as an integral part of armed forces of India and authorized for all benefits which are applicable to Armed Forces of India. BRES officers are entitled for Special Compensatory Remote Location Allowances (SCRLA), Special Duty Allowance (SDA), High Altitude Allowances(HAA), School Bus for Children, Outfit Allowance[9] along with all other allowances such as HRA, TA, DA, CCA. The BRES officers also are entitled for free fully furnished Accommodation and Regular Ration as applicable to Armed Forces of India. They are eligible for priority in booking and concession in Flights Tickets as offered to Armed Forces. They are also exempted from Toll taxes while travelling on highway in private vehicle as they are part of Armed forces and remain 24 hours in duty even during vacation. As some provisions of Army act and Army rule are applicable to members of BRES than they cannot be held arrested by local police and need to be handed over to local army authorities within 24 Hours. This provision provides a great level of independence and freedom to members of BRES while rendering services. The senior official of BRES carry official flags and stars as applicable to senior IPS officers on their official vehicle. After 5 years of regular service BRES officers are eligible for Study leave and Deputation[10]. Lot of opportunities are available to BRES officers after their retirement as their experience is most valued by many Private and Government Organization.
Future
Border Roads Engineering Service provides a unique opportunity to work for betterment of people of far flunged areas of India. As recently China has developed sophisticated Infrastructure along the border areas of India, Indian Govt. is now focusing more on infrastructure development in border areas[11]. Lot of reforms have also been infused in Border Roads organization like more Delegation powers[12] to Members of BRES, increase of budget along with implementation of various demands of members of BRES.
See Also
Border Roads Organization
Mago-Thingbu to Vijaynagar Border Road
References
- ↑ "e-Gazette Engineering Services" (PDF). Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Engineering Services Examination 2019" (PDF). Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "States in which BRO working". Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Management Concerns in BRO". Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Young Officers Training Module" (PDF). Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Young Officers Training Module" (PDF). Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Role and Responsibility BRO". Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Recruitment Rules Border Roads Engineering Services" (PDF). Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Outfit Allowance as Applicable to IPS and Defense Forces" (PDF). Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Deputation in line with DOPT Guidelines" (PDF). Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "China frontier work: Border Roads Organisation gets more powers". Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "More Powers to BRO". Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help)
External links
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