Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said that the 375-km long Indo-Tibetan (China) international border, which will cross through three districts i.e. Pithoragarh, Chamoli and Uttarakashi is stratetigically very important. The responsibility of security of the Indo-Tibetan (China) border is on ITBP. Security arrangements are made by the security agencies like ITBP, Army, IB, State Police etc. in the border area. He expressed these views while attending the meeting of Chief Ministers and Home Ministers of States along the China border, led by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh at Gangtok (Sikkim) on Saturday. During the meeting, a detailed discussion was held on infrastructure, coordination between State and ITBP and Border Area Development Program etc.
Rawat said that their Government is committed to develop infrastructure in remote areas of the State. To check Chinese infiltration it is also necessary that the population should remains in these border areas. State is giving emphasis on strengthening of Roads and telecommunication systems there and also working on to create employment opportunity there. Doctors and teachers are also being deployed in hospitals and schools to provide medical and education facility. To encourage sheep & goat rearing and wool marketing, a corpus of Rs one has been ear marked by the State Government.
Before 1962 there was trade relation between India and Tibet but since 1962 Indo-China war, the trade has stopped. In 1991 then Chinese Prime Minister visited India and made an agreement between the two country and since 1992 the trade resumed. Currently the trade arrangements are being made by the Pithoragarh district administration as per the instructions of the union commerce ministry. last year, a business worth Rs 6 crores was registered in this region. Trade Passes are being issued to the Indian businessmen by trade officers at Gunji, Pithoragarh. The Indian businessmen are demanding to establish a merchant house at the Nabhidhang and Kalapani in Pithoragarh. They are also demanding a quarantine office and a permanent trade officer in that region.
To register indian presence a team comprised of Chamoli district administration visit Barahoti four times a year in between June to October. CM expressed concerned over the Chinese activities at Barahoti in Tibet region last year.
Rawat sadi that six roads i.e. Ghastoli-Ratakota (around 51 km), Niti-Gyadhung (33 km), Malari-Upper Rimkhim (40 Km); Pithoragarh-Bugdyar-Millam motor road (62 km); Ghatiabagad-lipulekh motor road (75 km); Gunji-Jaulikyang Motor road (32 km) are being made in Chamoli district by the BRO. In Uttarkashi dsitict four roads i.e. Bhaironghati-nelang route (23 km), Naga-Sonam route (11 km), Naga-Neelapani (11 km) and Nelang-Naga road (eight km) are proposed to be constructed.