Work is underway on the construction of roads along the Indo-China and Indo-Nepal border areas in Uttarakhand, but lack of connectivity to high altitude areas is making it difficult to transport machinery and materials to such sites. This was revealed in a meeting chaired by the State Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar on infrastructural development and effective border management. The CS reviewed the progress of road works in border areas, forest and environmental clearance related issues, vigilance along the border and issues related to the ITBP, SSB, BRO and CPWD.
On being told about the difficulties being faced in the high altitude areas, Kumar said that the Indian Air Force will be requested to provide an MI 26 helicopter. Strategically important 10 roads are to be constructed along the border with China and Nepal in Uttarakhand. Of these, five roads are being constructed by CPWD and five by BRO. He was informed that the district administration, police, SSB and ITBP are coordinating for vigilance along the border.
The border with Nepal has been sealed in view of the elections in the neighbouring nation. DGP BS Sidhu, principal secretary, Home, Om Prakash, additional secretary, Forests, Manoj Chandran, IG, ITBP IS Negi and other officers were present in the meeting.