Srinagar, Dec 28 (IANS): In order to give boost to connectivity in the border areas, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated 24 bridges in the country on Tuesday, including two in Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal district.

Rajnath Singh dedicated the bridges through video conferencing in the presence of Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha and other officials.

Talking to the media, commander 32 BRTF Colonel M.A. Khan said, "Roads and bridges accelerate the rate of development of the country and are important not just from the point of view of defence, but also for promoting tourism and development."

Some of these bridges will become a lifeline for many villages located in the remote inaccessible areas. These bridges will assist in speedy mobilisation of the armed forces in strategically important sectors further bolstering the security environment as also contribute significantly towards the overall economic growth of remote border areas.

During the inauguration ceremony of the two bridges in the Sonamarg area, member of the district development council Kangan, Tasmeena Aadil and other respected local citizens were present.