The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has undertaken several reforms and initiatives in the last few years to strengthen and upgrade the security infrastructure near the international border adjoining Pakistan and China. Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has not only launched several projects related to national security, but also took measures to connect the bordering villages with the mainland through roads, infrastructure, and connectivity.
The MHA is responsible for matters concerning internal security, central armed police forces, border management, disaster management, census and centre-state relations. The ministry, under Union Home Minister Amit Shah Several, has taken initiatives like Border Area Development Programme and Vibrant Villages Programme in the bordering states.
Here is a detailed look on how the Home Ministry is upgrading the border security infrastructure:
Border security
The government has adopted a multi-pronged approach along Indo-Pakistan and Indo-Bangladesh Borders which includes round the clock surveillance and patrolling on the borders and establishment of observation post; increase in number of BSF personnel; construction of border fencing and floodlighting.
The government has also increased the use of water crafts/boats, floating Border Out Posts (BOP) for domination of riverine area, advance technological equipment like Hand Held Thermal Imager (HHTI), Night vision Device (NVD), Twin Telescope, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV).
2 BSF personnel and 21 local civilians involved in infiltration attempts have been apprehended since year 2021. Whenever any such involvement of officials or local persons is noticed, the central and state government authorities carry out proper investigation and appropriate strict action is taken as per the law.
Key Projects in Kutch Border
Union Home Minister Amit Shah last month inaugurated key infrastructure projects in the Kutch district of Gujarat along the Indo-Pakistan border. During his visit, Amit Shah met personnel of the Border Security Force (BSF) and visited several border outposts including the dangerous Harami Nala and 1170 pillar close to India’s last point on the border.
Harami Nala is considered to be the most challenging area in Kutch to patrol. This area has also been at the centre of cross-border mischief and exploitation by Pakistani infiltrators.
Border Area Development Programme
Border Area Development Programme or BADP is an initiative of the ministry to adopt a comprehensive approach to Border Management in collaboration with the State Governments and Union Territories.
The objective of BADP is to meet the special development needs of the people by providing essential infrastructure in six thematic areas – basic infrastructure, health, education, agriculture and water resources, financial and skill development for those living in remote and inaccessible areas situated near the international borders.
Under the project, projects have been sanctioned for construction of roads and bridges, infrastructure development in health, education, agriculture, sports, drinking water and sanitation projects in habitations located within 0-10 kms from the first habitation at international border in 16 States and 2 UTs.
The scheme was also implemented in the Western Border states with an aim of developing infrastructure to facilitate the deployment of BSF.
Increased Budget Allocation
The government, under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, has earmarked Rs 1.96 lakh crore in the 2023-24 budget allocation to the Home Ministry, an increase of about Rs 10,000 crore since last year. A significant amount has been allocated this time for improving infrastructure for the patrolling of international borders amidst increased enemy drone attacks, upgradation of law enforcing infrastructure and modernisation of police besides the paramilitary forces.
The actual expenditure on border Infrastructure development was Rs 3,373.71 crore during the FY 2022-23. The Budget Estimate allocation for border Infrastructure works is Rs 3,464.42 crore during FY 2023-24.
Vibrant Village Programme
The Home Ministry in April this year launched Vibrant Villages Programme to upgrade infrastructure in the border areas. The project aims to target villages in 46 blocks abutting northern border in 19 districts of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and UT of Ladakh.
The programme includes creation of opportunities for livelihood generation through promotion of tourism and cultural heritage, skill development and entrepreneurship and development of cooperative societies including agriculture, horticulture, cultivation of medicinal plants and herbs. It also calls for providing road connectivity to unconnected villages, housing and village infrastructure, energy including renewable energy, television and telecom connectivity.
The objective of the programme is to finance the funding gap in the coverage of existing schemes and 100% saturation of Central Sector, Centrally Sponsored and State Government Schemes exclusively for the focus areas of interventions in the identified villages so that there are sufficient incentives for the people to stay on in the border areas villages.
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