4 Ministers, NSA, CDS, Army chief, LG attend
*Committee of Secys to fast track works
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Mar 14: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today held high-level review of infrastructure development along the borders with China with Union Ministers, Chief Ministers of couple of States, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Brig (Retd) BD Mishra and senior officers of various Ministries and officials of States/UTs.
The Central Government including the Defence Ministry has been taking series of steps for infrastructure development in the border areas falling along Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China which will not only help the local people but will also facilitate troop movement up to last border posts.
“Several infrastructure development works have been completed while many more are under execution. A number of works have been identified for launching shortly,” the officials said.
The meeting decided to set up a Committee of Secretaries to fast-track implementation of infrastructure projects along the border with China.
Singh called for expediting all pending projects on top priority, stating that a “whole of nation” approach should be adopted in matters of national security, a Defence Ministry statement said.
The meeting was attended by Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, Railways, Communications and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Power Minister RK Singh, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami and Ladakh Lt Governor Brig BD Mishra (Retd), Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Army chief Gen Manoj Pande and Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane were among those present at the meeting.
To fast-track the pending projects, it has been decided to set up a Committee of Secretaries which will meet at frequent intervals,” the Defence Ministry said.
They added that pace of development works going on in the border villages came up for a review at the high-level meeting and a need was felt for timely completion of all projects. Works are fully funded by the Central Government.
“Earlier completion of works will also help the local population living along the border villages who have been described as strategic assets by the Defence Ministry for keeping strict vigil on enemy’s activities along LAC. Besides, they will also be beneficial for troops deployed on LAC as their vehicles will reach right up to the last post,” sources said.
Besides infrastructure works, prevailing situation along the LAC was also reviewed by the Defence Minister.
Barring Eastern Ladakh, LAC with China has been almost calm in four States including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. In Eastern Ladakh, Sino-Indian troops remained in eyeball-to-eyeball position at some points though disengagement has taken place from many friction points after incursions in 2020.
The Defence Minister has repeatedly been undertaking visits to the border villages and posts along Northern as well as Western frontiers for constant review of the situation, operational preparedness of the troops and facilities being provided to the jawans deployed under harsh weather conditions.
The Central Government has already decided that all Union Ministers will visit border villages under the ‘Vibrant Villages Programme’ and spend at least one night there to address people’s issues and ensure that the villages are developed as per the people’s aspirations.
This will ensure that not only grievances of the border villages are redressed but the people have a say in development of the villages.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
