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Port Blair, Nov. 18: Indian Army’s Corps of Engineers celebrated its 232nd Anniversary on 18th Nov 2012. It is one of the oldest arms of the Indian Army. The origin of the Crops dates back to the Indian Army. This Corps consists of three major constituents namely Combat Engineers, Military Engineering Service (MES) and Border Roads. The corps also provides officers to the Military Survey and Defence Research and Development Organisation.

True to the motto SARVATRA, the Corps of Engineers has excelled in multifarious activities on the Islands. The Sappers have always been in the forefront in rendering aid to the civil authorities during natural calamities such as floods and earthquakes. The Chief Engineer Andaman and Nicobar Zone was awarded the unit Citation by Vice Chief of Army Staff for Exemplary work in Post Tsunami operations. The MES on the Island carries out construction and maintenance of Defence assets amounting to a large annual turnover, which adds to the employment generation and economic development of the Islands. The Border Road Organization has also significantly contributed to the infrastructure development on the islands in terms of building roads in the remote areas of Andaman and Nicobar islands, thus providing avenues for employment of locals and improving the quality of life of local populace.

It is of significance to note that the Crops has been central to infrastructure development in these islands given their role in construction and maintenance of the facilities/ infrastructure, continue to be developed for crucial infrastructure in difficult locations. Of significance are the construction of the Chouldhari and Dhanikhari Dam, the Andaman Trunk Road, the road between in GNI, the airfields in Campbell Bay and Shibpur to name a few. The Corps continues a proud tradition of service to the nation and these Islands as they contribute significantly to nation’s development.