Lok Sabha Question No. 438 (STARRED), answered on 2017-03-31
Subject: Infrastructure Development in Border Areas
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Shrirang Appa Barne, MIDHUN REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.438

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 31 ST  MARCH, 2017

## INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN BORDER AREAS

- *438.  SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE: SHRI  P.V. MIDHUN REDDY:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the Government has taken note of the expanding military advancement and  infrastructure  development  by  China  close  to  the  border  areas  of  the  country including Arunachal Pradesh and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the development of infrastructure, particularly road and rail connectivity in  border  areas  of  the  country,  is  adequate  for  faster  mobility  of  troops  and  weapon systems in forward areas and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  various  strategic  roads  had  been  identified  for  construction  almost  two decades ago and if so, the number of  strategic  roads  constructed so far  along  with  the reasons for delay in constructing all such roads;
- (d) whether non-completion / faulty specifications of works on constructed roads have a  serious  bearing  on  the  operational  capability  of  the  armed  forces  and  for  operating specialised vehicles / equipment in strategically sensitive areas; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto along with the steps taken to develop infrastructure including the strategic roads on priority basis?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF DEFENCE                                            (SHRI ARUN JAITLEY)

j{kk ea=h

¼Jh v#.k tsVyh½

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

******

## STATEMENT    REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 438 FOR ANSWER ON 31.3.2017

Government is fully seized of the security needs of the country and reviews the same from time to time.  Required measures are taken through capability development including manpower accretions, infrastructure and modernisation to safeguard the sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of India. The  Government  has  identified  73  roads  as  strategic  Indo-China Border Roads (ICBR).  Out of the 61 ICBR roads assigned to BRO, 27 roads have been completed and connectivity has been achieved in respect of 21 more roads. Out  of  the  prioritised  14  strategic  railway  lines,  Government  has approved Final Location Survey of four railway lines, the details of which are given below:-

- (a) Misamari-Tenga-Tawang.
- (b) Pasighat-Parasuramkund-Rupai.
- (c) Bilaspur-Manali-Leh.
- (d) North Lakhimpur-Bame (Along)-Silapathar.

The  reasons  for  delays  in  execution  of  roads  are  mainly  delay  in Forest / Wild life clearance / land acquisition, adverse climatic conditions and availability of limited working season etc. Construction  of  roads  is  taken  up  as  per  approved  specifications. Steps taken by the Government to expedite the construction of roads interalia include  enhancement  of  financial  and  administrative  power  of  BRO, induction  of  modern  equipments,  outsourcing  and  regular  monitoring  of progress of roads etc.

*******