Amid increased terrorist activity and attacks in Jammu, the government has decided to invest heavily on the upgradation of fencing and will build various infrastructure along the Indo-Pakistan border. Importantly, the High Level Empowered Committee (HLEC) has also cleared various projects in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Punjab apart from Jammu that were under discussion.
The committee has decided to upgrade existing fencing with newer, more durable materials to prevent infiltration. More than 500 kilometre of fencing will be upgraded in infiltration-prone areas. The matter of fencing along Indo-Pakistan border was also raised in a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, an official said.
A hydrological and reconnaissance survey has been conducted to ascertain various design parameters for preliminary estimates. To improve access to the border, the committee has approved development projects along various rivers close to the border. The total estimated cost of projects along the Indo-Pakistan border is approximately Rs 1,500 crore.
According to a senior official, various posts will be built to monitor infiltration, and some of them will be bulletproof. This year, a BSF jawan was injured during unprovoked firing by Pakistan Rangers. These sentry posts will help the force during such incidents to prevent casualties.
Projects in Samba, Indereshwar Nagar, and Kathua have been approved. “The HLEC has approved a proposal for the construction of roads from BOPs to the fence along the Indo-Pakistan border in the Jammu sector across various districts.” Kathua and Samba sectors are infiltration prone areas.
This year, Rajouri and Poonch have seen multiple terror attacks on the Army, targeting civilians, officers, and jawans. These attacks have shown change in strategy of terrorists in targeting Indians. In view of these attacks, these projects have been cleared, a senior government official said.
Additionally, the HLEC has cleared projects in different locations in the Ferozepur and Abohar sectors of Punjab. Armored cables will be used with high-quality lighting along the Indo-Pakistan border. New high powered LED lights will be brought for night checking. In Rajasthan, over Rs 500 crore will be allocated for fencing and walls with a new layered design.
To provide water supplies along the Indo-Pakistan border, approximately Rs 160 crore will be used to build storage infrastructure. Forces currently travel extensively to maintain water supply. “Presently, water is supplied to the BOPs by tankers from nearby sources. The border area is completely covered with sand dunes, and all routes are unpaved and sandy. Transporting water via tanker to the BOPs is expensive and tedious,” the official explained. This time, a new design of modular fencing with layers will be used to control infiltration.
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