22 ITBP border posts opened to fortify security along China

Twenty-two ITBP border posts have been opened and green signal given for erection of 123 mobile towers to strengthen security along the Indo-China border, Government informed the Lok Sabha today.

"Out of 5newlysanctionedBorderOutPost(BOPs),22 BOPshavealreadybeenopenedalongtheIndoChinaborderfor strengtheningexistingbordersecurity. RemainingBOPswillbe establishedby2016. Atpresent,ITBPis manning163BOPs," Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said in a written reply.

Inorderto improvetheexistingroadconnectivityandto enhancethetroop’smobility,he said 27 ITBPpriorityroadsarebeingconstructedalongIndoChina border.

"Withtheaimto achieveconnectivitytoallITBPBOPsandpatrolling points/internationalpasses,governmenthasapproved34 roads.

123mobiletowershavebeenapprovedbythegovernmentalong theIndo-China borderto enhancetheconnectivityandbordervigil. "Thecriticalinfrastructrein theborderareasof ArunachalPradesharealsobeingstrengthendto enhancetroop’smobiltyandbordersecurityin those areas," he said.

Rijiju added that the government has accorded sanction to ITBP to obtain two helicopters on wet lease to meet its operational requirements.

"Witha viewto providededicatedairsuportto Indo-TibetanBorderPolice,thegovernmenthasaccorded approvalto ITBPforwetleasingof twolighthelicoptersto meetits operationalairsupportrequirementsin J and KandUttarkhandthroughtenderingprocess.

"Thetotalexpenditure likelyto beincurredforwetleasingof twohelicoptersis approximatelyRs 40croreperannum.

Besides,dedicatedair supportisprovidedtoITBPthroughBSFMI17helicoptersas wellasIAFhelicoptersbasedontheavailabilityof helicoptersto meettheoperationalrequirementofthe force onIndoChinaborderincludingJ and KandUttarkhand," the Minister said.