Lok Sabha Question No. 377 (STARRED), answered on 2017-03-28
Subject: Snow Scooters
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN, RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *377

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 28 th  MARCH, 2017 / CHAITRA 7, 1939 (SAKA)

SNOW SCOOTER

*377. DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN: SHRI SATAV RAJEEV:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  provide  snow  scooters  and  other gadgets  to  personnel  of  Indo-Tibetan  Border  Police  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;

- (b) the number of snow scooters likely to be procured and the estimated cost for each procurement;
- (c) whether the Government has shortlisted the companies from which it will procure snow scooters and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the time by which the procurement is likely to be made; and
- (e) the other steps taken by the Government to facilitate smooth patrolling in the Himalayas along the 3488 km Indo- China border?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

...2/-

Statement  referred  to  in  reply  for  part  (a)  to  (e)  of  the  Lok  Sabha  Starred Question No. *377 by Dr. J. Jayavardhan and Shri Satav Rajeev, Hon'ble MPs for answer on 28.03.2017 regarding 'Snow Scooter'. (a)  to  (d)  :    Upgradation  of  equipment  and  technology  being  used  by  the Central  Armed  Police  is  taken  up  from  time  to  time  keeping  in  mind  the requirements, appropriateness of new equipment or technology, availability of finances etc. 05 Snow Scooters have been procured on a pilot project basis. As such, there is no plan at present to procure more such scooters, and hence no firm or firms have been short listed for the purpose. (e) :   In order to facilitate smooth patrolling along Indo-China border, various actions have been taken which may be seen at Annexure-I.

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Annexure-I

## ACTIONS TAKEN TO FACILITATE SMOOTH PATROLLING ALONG INDO-CHINA

BORDER (i) During the financial year 2016-17, ITBP has procured 29 High Powered Light Vehicles under Modernisation Plan-II for specific deployment in the BOPs to facilitate  smooth  patrolling.  Wherever,  roads  and  motorable  tracks  are available  along  the  border,  vehicular  patrols  are  being  sent  for  effective surveillance of area. (ii)  Surveillance  equipments  such  as  Telescopes,  Periscopes,  Night  Vision Devices (NVDs), Night Vision Goggles (NVGs), Long Range Finder (LRF), Hand Held  Search  Light  (HHSL),  Digital  Camera  and  Hand  Held  Thermal  Imager (HHTI) etc. have been made available, wherever necessary. (iii)  Modern High Frequency Sets (HF Sets), Very High Frequency (VHF) sets and  other  communication  devices  such  as  ISAT  Phone  &  INMARSAT, navigation  devices  such  as  GPS  &  Digital  Compass  etc.  are  provided  to patrolling units for maintaining seamless communication with all concerned and to ensure smooth navigation along difficult terrain. (iv) Lightweight water proof warm clothing, equipment & tents are provided to  patrols  thereby  considerably reducing weight to be carried by jawans to ease movement. (v) Patrol parties moving in high altitude areas are provided 'Meal Ready to

Eat (MRE)' food.

(vi)  Long-Range  Reconnaissance  and  Observation  System  (LORROS)  & Integrated  surveillance  towers  are  established  at  few  sensitive  locations along the border to keep close vigil on possible ingress routes and to provide advance information to patrols. (vii)  In  order  to  ensure  close  surveillance  of  border  area  and  increased frequency of patrols by reducing number of days to reach border, ITBP has established 32 new BOPs along border since-2012. (viii)    ITBP  has  also  augmented  strength  at  89  BOPs  since  2012  for  more effective surveillance of border and to ease the burden of patrols on jawans. (ix)    MHA  has  approved  development  of  critical  infrastructure  along  the border area of Arunachal Pradesh. This includes a number of bridges, tracks, shelters, etc. along patrol routes to ensure smooth patrolling activities along the border. (x)  During  winters  when  the  area  become  inaccessible  due  to  heavy  snow accumulation, Aerial reconnaissance and Winter Surveillance Air Operations (WASO) are also conducted in coordination with Army.

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