In fact, in the last 12 months, the BRO has been compelled to cut productivity by a third — instead of two six-hour shifts, the workers only work daylight hours now on an eight-hour shift.

While the BRO has taken a firm stand not to increase manpower on the project, it has said that a force of 75 armed personnel is not sufficient especially since the commandos cannot be armed on the project sites, and are instead only to provide security at the areas where the workers stay.

BRO has called for an increase in the contribution of local authorities to provide on-site security.

The BRO has managed to complete 50-km out of the 217-km highway that will connect Delaram to Zaranj on the Iran border — the latter will connect to the Chah Bahar port in the Persian Gulf, allowing freight from India to Afghanistan and other countries and vice versa, without having to pass through Pakistan.