Lok Sabha Question No. 344 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-18
Subject: Construction of Roads along Border
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: RANGASWAMY DHRUVANARAYANA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 344.

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18 TH  JULY, 2017/ ASHADHA 27, 1939 (SAKA) CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS ALONG BORDER

## 344. SHRI R. DHRUVA NARAYANA:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  approved  the  construction  of  73 strategic Sino-Indian border roads in 2006-07 for completion in 2012 and 21 roads have been completed so far;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has taken note of this delay and appropriate comprehensive measures have been taken to speed up the works so that the national security is not compromised; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) to (b):   The  Government  has  decided  to  undertake  construction  of  73 roads of operational significance along Indo-China border. Out of these 73 roads, 46 roads are being constructed by Ministry of Defence and 27 roads by  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs.  Out  of  73  roads,  30  roads  have  been completed. The proposal was expected to be completed in the year 201213. The major reasons for delay are limited working season combined with logistic  issue  due  to  very  high  altitude  and  mountainous,  rugged  and difficult terrain, natural calamities, delay in forest/wild life clearances, land acquisition etc.

## LS.US.Q.NO.344 FOR 18.07.2017

(c) to (d): The following measures have been taken to expedite the road project:

- i. Hon'ble  Union  Home  Minister  on  20.05.2017  at  Gangtok,  Sikkim reviewed  the  progress  of  Indo-China  border  infrastructure  projects with the Hon'ble Chief Ministers of the border states along Indo-China border and other stakeholders.
- ii. A  High  Level  Empowered  Committee  (HLEC)  headed  by  the  Union Home  Secretary reviews and monitors the progress of border infrastructure projects regularly.
- iii. A  Steering  Committee  has  been  set  up  under  the  Chairmanship  of Secretary  (Border  Management),  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs  to  review and monitor the progress of construction of these roads.  The Committee meets periodically to sort out various bottlenecks in the implementation of the project with all agencies concerned including State Governments.
- iv. States of Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh  have  constituted  the  Empowered  Committee  to  resolve  the issues related to land acquisition, forest/ wildlife clearance, allotment of quarries etc.
- v. Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  &  Climate  Change  has  accorded general  approval  under  Section  (2)  of  the  Forest  (Conservation)  Act 1980  for  diversion  of  forest  land  for  construction  and  widening  of border roads in the areas falling within 100 Kms aerial distance from the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

## LS.US.Q.NO.344 FOR 18.07.2017

- vi. Ministry  of  Defence  has  approved  Long  Term  Roll  On  Work  Plan (LTROWP) and Long Term Equipment Plan (LTEP) for construction of border roads.
- vii. Directorate  General,  Border  Roads  has  created  dedicated  posts  of ADG(Border) in East & West to monitor infrastructure works along the Indo-China border.
- viii.  Directorate General, Border Roads has enhanced the financial powers of Ground executives for procurement and project management.

****