Govt nod for 27 road projects on Indo-China border

NEW DELHI: As part of its emphasis on development of infrastructure along the international boundary, the Centre has finalised 27 projects for construction of new roads in the India-China border area over the next four years, for which Rs 900 crore has been earmarked.

Apart from constructing 862 km of new roads in the India-China border area, the government is examining proposals for having more roads along the Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders.

Sources in the Union Home Ministry said that the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) was part of the comprehensive approach of the government on border management with focus on socio-economic development of the border areas and to promote a sense of security among the people living in those areas.

The BADP was started during the seventh plan with the objective of balanced development of sensitive border areas bordering Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, Bhutan and Nepal and now covers 345 border blocks of 94 districts in 17 states, which share international border.

They said while till 2005-06 the allocation was Rs 320 crore annually, it was raised to Rs 520 crore for 2006-07.

The ministry expected a significant jump in the allocation next fiscal as the Planning Commission has said that if the development projects were carried out properly then the amount could be raised to Rs 1,000 crore in 2007-08.

Keeping this in mind, the Home Ministry has directed all states having international borders to prepare an action plan for the development of infrastructure.