Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurates 44 bridges

On October 12, 2020, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated 44 bridges that were built by the Border Road Organization. The minister also laid a foundation stone of Nechiphu tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh.

Highlights

The 44 bridges inaugurated are located in seven States and Union territories and will bring out a new era of connectivity and development in the far flung areas of the country. These bridges will be highly beneficial for military and civil transport in north-eastern, western and northern parts of the country.

India’s plans

India is currently developed the border infrastructure along Line of Actual Control in order to keep a check on Chinese activities in the region. The Chinese are illegally establishing bases and carrying out developmental activities. These are against the 1993 and 1996 agreements signed by the countries.

In June 2020, India allocated 10% funds of the Border Area Development Programme to develop infrastructure along Line of Actual Control. Under the programme, Rs 784 crores was allocated. The fund is being used to develop strategically important towns and villages in the border areas. Also, the funds are used to build schools, irrigation works, health infrastructure, etc.

Other Security Forces

The villages that needs the development activities are identified by the security forces protecting the village. The Border Security Forces are deployed along Pakistan and Bangladesh borders. Thus, the villages in these areas are identified by the BSF. The Assam Rifles look after the Myanmar border and the Sahastra Seema Bal looks after Nepal border.

Border Area Development Programme

It was launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs in 1986-87. It was initiated during the Seventh Five Year Plan (1985-90). The states that are covered under the plan are Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Rajasthan, Punjab, Tripura, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

Month: Current Affairs - October, 2020