Pics & Experience: Living with the Border Road Task Force at Kargil

The job is very hectic and demanding, both physically and mentally. All the individuals involved are some of the most hardworking, dedicated and selfless chaps you'd see out there.

BHPian MotoBlip recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

My dad was the Commander of one of the BRTFs(Border Road Task Force), under Project Vijayak in Kargil. He also overlooked several RCCs(Road Construction Companies) that fell under his purview. I had the good fortune of spending a few months with him in Kargil (had to leave since officers/JCOs are not allowed to keep families during winters, mostly due to ration issues & also my college was starting soon). He used to take me along during many of his inspection visits, needless to say, I enjoyed every bit.

The job is very hectic and demanding, both physically and mentally. All the individuals involved are some of the most hardworking, dedicated and selfless chaps you'd see out there. I have immense respect for them and their work and anyone who has driven on these roads would second my views. Heck, they are better than what you'd find in many metro cities. It's not all technical, but a lot of administrative work is involved too, appropriating land, dealing with stubborn locals, coordinating with local politicians, rescue operations etc., it's all part of the job.

Would like to share a funny anecdote here, during an extreme winter in Kargil, due to some hapless and weird rationing glitch, only daal available to eat was black masoor. Dad had to eat it everyday for a month or two, until the supply stabilized, and now he has developed such aversion to this daal that whenever my mom cooks it at home, he stays clear of it.

Here are some pictures I found:

During routine land and aerial inspection:

Bridge construction near Khaltse, this very bridge was later inaugurated by then Chief minister of J&K, Mehbooba Mufti:

A view from our house after fresh snowfall, lots of khubani(apricot) trees here:

En route to Dras, India's coldest inhabited place:

Enroute to Zo Jila Pass:

Snow clearance at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport:

A BEML Dozer:

Off-topic:

Random click, somewhere on the Leh-Kargil highway. Also notice the partially frozen Zanskar river:

A new of our gardens during summers:

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