Rajnath Singh wants all projects in border areas fast-tracked
The minister also stressed on the need for greater technological solutions wherever physical barriers were not possible.
New Delhi: Home minister Rajnath Singh has directed all border guarding agencies to complete all ongoing projects on priority and in a time-bound manner. The home minister, along with the minister of state Kiren Rijiju, home secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and other senior ministry officials, on Monday reviewed security and ongoing projects in the border areas.
During the meeting, various issues, like status of border roads, flood lights, border outposts and integrated check posts, along international borders were reviewed, Sources said the meeting also discussed all major impediments hampering border infrastructure development.
Ministry sources said the home minister stressed on the need to fast-track all projects related to borders security and better coordination among the concerned agencies. The minister also stressed on the need for greater technological solutions wherever physical barriers were not possible.
Security agencies are planning to install high-tech equipment like powerful resolution cameras, radars, unattended ground sensors, optical fibres, infrared sensors, aerostats and hand-held thermal imagers where physical barriers cannot be installed due to the terrain.
“We have identified some areas along the Indo-Pak border in Rajasthan, Gujarat and the Northeast where putting up physical barriers is extremely difficult due to the terrain. So we will be going in for greater use of technology and have already prepared a road map for such locations,” a senior ministry official said.
Mr Singh expressed his concern about the difficulties being experienced by the residents of border areas. He mentioned that necessary assistance should be extended to them in the field of education, health and other basic necessities.