6 times more funds for Infrastructure along China Border in Arunachal: Govt of India

Source : Press Trust of India (PTI)

Military trucks carrying supplies move towards forward areas in the Ladakh region on 15 September. (Photograph: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters)

The Government has allocated six times more funds for the development of infrastructure along the Sino-Indian border in Arunachal Pradesh — from ₹42.87 crore in 2020-21 to ₹249.12 in 2021-22.

An Indian air force Chinook helicopter carrying supplies prepares to take off from a forward airbase in Leh, in the Ladakh region, on 15 September. (Photograph: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters)

Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said in Lok Sabha that ₹602.30 crore has been allocated in 2021-22 and ₹355.12 crore in 2020-21 under the Border Infrastructure and Management (BIM) scheme to improve infrastructure along the international border in the Northeast — with China, Mynamar and Bangladesh.

An Indian Air Force transport aircraft C17 brings in essentials supplies at a base in Ladakh. (File Photo: PTI)

While ₹42.87 crore was allocated under the BIM for the India-China border in the Northeast in 2020-21, ₹249.12 has been allocated in 2021-22 for it, he said in a written reply to a question.

India shares 3,488 km-long Line of Actual Control with China from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh. Arunachal Pradesh shares a 1,126-km-long border with China.

The Indian Army and China’s PLA continue to engage in a stand-off in Ladakh since April 2020.

                                                                                           A Rafale fighter jet of the IAF seen flying in Leh 

                                                                                                                                                               | ANI File Photo

 Rai said ₹17.38 crore was allocated under the BIM for the India-Myanmar border in 2020-21 and ₹50 crore has been allocated for the same in 2021-22.

He said ₹294.87 crore was allocated under the BIM for the India-Bangladesh border in 2020-21 and ₹303.18 crore has been allocated for 2021-22.

An Indian Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter plane flies 

over a mountain range in the Ladakh region 

[File: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters]

According to the minister, the government has adopted a multi-pronged approach to strengthen the security along international borders, which includes deployment of border guarding forces, effective domination of the borders by patrolling, laying nakas, manning observation posts, vulnerability mapping and holistic review of deployment periodically, establishing new border outposts, deployment of surveillance equipment, strengthening of intelligence network, erection of border fencing among others.

An Indian air force Apache helicopter over the Ladakh region on 17 September. Photograph: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters