Border Infrastructure Developments

Why in News?

  • The Minister of External Affairs has recently provided a briefing to the parliament regarding the government’s projects on border infrastructure and connectivity.

Highlights

  • The report was released in the wake of an official Security Conference report that said Indian forces have lost access to 26 of 65 patrolling points along the LAC since 2020
  • Improving connectivity to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) through roads, bridges and tunnels.
  • For instance, the length of roads constructed in the China border areas in the period from 2014 to 2022 (6,806 km) is almost double the length constructed from 2008-2014 (3,610 km).
  • Improving cross-border connectivity to neighbouring countries via highways, bridges, inland waterways, railroads, electricity lines and fuel pipelines.
  • Modernising and constructing Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) at all the border crossings to smooth trade, and funding and constructing infrastructure projects in neighbouring countries.
  • India faces long-standing territorial and boundary disputes with China and Pakistan and porous borders along difficult terrain.
  • For instance, successive skirmishes with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army in Chumar in 2014, Doklam in 2017.
  • The ongoing standoff along the entire LAC since April 2020 when the Chinese army amassed troops along the border, which resulted in the Galwan clashes.
  • Despite border wars and conflicts, the state of infrastructure at India’s borders is inadequate and borders are manned by different military, para-military, and police forces, lacking in coordination.
  • Smugglers, drug traffickers, and terrorists often take advantage of poor surveillance and infrastructure at borders.
  • Continued investment in physical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and other border infrastructure in regions along the border with China.
  • Investment in telecommunications and transportation networks to improve connectivity with neighbouring countries.
  • Enhancing the ability of border security forces to effectively patrol and monitor the border region through technology upgradation.
  • Collaboration with neighbouring countries to develop mutually beneficial infrastructure projects and increasing economic and cultural exchange with neighbouring countries to strengthen relationships and build trust.

 

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