Developing Border Infrastructure

Why in the News?

Prime Minister of India has inaugurated and laid the foundation for multiple development projects in Uttarakhand worth around Rs 4,200 crore, which included those related to border roads.

Infrastructure in the border areas:

1. The development of infrastructure in the border areas include construction of,
   1. Roads
   2. Fence
   3. Floodlighting
   4. Border Out Posts (BOPs)
   5. Company Operating Bases (COBs)
   6. Deployment of technological solutions along the international borders
2. Indo-Nepal Border (INB):
   1. Both the countries share an open border of 1751 kilometres which runs along the 5 States, namely Bihar, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal.
   2. The border is vulnerable to anti-national and anti-social activities due to its open and porous nature.
   3. Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), the designated border guarding force on INB have severely limited mobility due to lack of road infrastructure.
   4. The lack of infrastructure shall prevent mobility of the troops as fast operations could not be launched against anti-National and criminal elements.
   5. The Indo-Nepal Border Road Project (INBRP) was implemented to develop ~1200km of border roads.

Recommendations of CAG report:

1. Efforts have to be taken to ensure speedy completion of this strategically important project.
2. Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) can consider construction of link roads as a distinct component of the project, to enhance the operational and strategic value of the border roads.
3. A co-ordination mechanism amongst all the stakeholders has to be considered to resolve the pending issues of land acquisition and forest clearance to complete the project within the extended time.
4. Monitoring mechanism has to be strengthened to keep a strict vigil on the utilisation of funds by the State Governments.
5. A third party inspection clause in MoU can be included to boost quality assurance and strengthen its monitoring mechanism.

About:

Border Roads Organisation (BRO):

1. It is a statutory body under the ownership of the Ministry of Defence of the Government of India.
2. BRO develops and maintains road networks in India's border areas and friendly neighbouring countries.
3. They have been developing infrastructure operations in 19 states and three union territories (including Andaman and Nicobar Islands) and neighbouring countries such as Afghanistan, Bhutan, Myanmar, Tajikistan and Sri Lanka. 
4. BRO is also tasked with maintaining this infrastructure including operations such as snow clearance.
5. The BRO consists of Border Roads Wing under the Ministry of Defense and the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF).