Colonel Sphurti Kulkarni Makes History as First Woman to Lead 45 Task Force in BRO's Project Chetak
Colonel Sphurti Kulkarni has made history as the first female officer to take command of the 45 Task Force, part of Project Chetak under the Border Roads Organisation. She officially assumed her role on July 30, 2026, marking a significant step forward for women's leadership within the organisation.
The 45 Task Force is tasked with the development, maintenance, and enhancement of strategic road connectivity along India’s western border. This formation is crucial for maintaining operational routes for the movement of troops, military equipment, supplies, and civilian traffic.
The appointment of Colonel Kulkarni is significant given the strategic importance and challenging operational conditions of the formation she now leads.
Infrastructure development in border areas is vital for military readiness, ensuring swift deployment of personnel and resources when needed. The task force also aids local communities by improving access to remote and challenging regions.
In her role as commanding officer, Colonel Kulkarni will manage engineering operations, oversee road construction and maintenance, handle manpower, and execute vital infrastructure projects of strategic importance.
Her duties are expected to involve collaboration with military and civil authorities to ensure projects are completed on time and that critical road networks are maintained under demanding conditions.
Project Chetak is one of the key initiatives of the Border Roads Organisation aimed at enhancing connectivity along India’s western borders. This project directly supports national security by constructing and maintaining roads that provide access to sensitive forward locations.
In addition to supporting military operations, the infrastructure developed under Project Chetak benefits residents in remote border areas by improving their access to markets, healthcare, education, and administrative services. Colonel Kulkarni’s new command reflects the increasing presence of women officers in leadership roles within the Border Roads Organisation.
Women officers in the BRO are now taking up challenging positions in field areas and are responsible for handling complex engineering projects, infrastructure development, and command roles. These assignments require working in extreme temperatures, isolation, and rugged terrains with limited logistical support.
Her appointment underscores the organisation’s focus on selecting officers for key command roles based on merit, professionalism, and capability. Colonel Kulkarni will lead teams across multiple project sites, ensuring construction and maintenance align with operational priorities.
The task force she commands will continue to prioritize enhancing strategic mobility, upgrading road infrastructure, and maintaining seamless connectivity in the western frontier.
Reliable border infrastructure has become increasingly crucial due to evolving security demands and the need for rapid deployment of troops and resources. The Border Roads Organisation is dedicated to improving roads, bridges, tunnels, and airfields in strategically vital areas nationwide.
This involves working in some of the harshest and most inhospitable regions, where construction is hampered by severe weather, challenging terrain, and limited working seasons.
The appointment of Colonel Kulkarni as the first woman commander of the 45 Task Force is both a professional achievement and a significant institutional milestone. Her leadership is expected to encourage more women officers to pursue operational command roles and take on responsibilities in demanding border infrastructure projects.
This milestone also highlights the growing contribution of women officers to nation-building, strategic connectivity, and national security. The BRO has described her appointment as a testament to its commitment to excellence, professionalism, and inclusive leadership.
By entrusting Colonel Sphurti Kulkarni with this important command, the organisation has reinforced that leadership roles are based on competence, experience, and professional skill.
Her appointment is a notable chapter in the increasing participation of women in critical command and operational positions. As Colonel Kulkarni begins her tenure with the 45 Task Force, the formation will continue its mission of building and maintaining infrastructure that bolsters India’s western frontier.
This achievement reflects the enduring spirit of the Border Roads Organisation and its motto, “श्रमेण सर्वं साध्यम्,” which means “everything can be achieved through hard work.”
