Border Roads Network Action Plan In The Offing, Union Home Secretary To Head Committee

With India’s focus on accelerating development along the border areas to match China’s aggressive infrastructure push on its territory, the Centre has set up a high-level committee headed by the Union Home Secretary to prepare a comprehensive ‘Border Roads Network Action Plan’.

Sources said this is the first such exercise to bring the heads of the six departments together for the plan preparation across all categories of roads, from rural roads to highways and strategic stretches close to the borders.

The panel consisting of secretaries of defence, road transport and rural development and the director general of military operations (DGMO) has also been tasked to study the feasibility of assigning the responsibility of complete overview and database regarding all border roads.

The committee will also give its recommendations for assigning the responsibility of maintenance of the stretches to the same agency, besides the provision for funds.

Currently, different agencies such as the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), state public works departments, National Highway and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd, Central Public Works Department and the village panchayats are carrying out works on border roads and maintaining them as well.

Officials said it was high time that all agencies work together in tandem to ensure faster execution of road projects, which is key to improving connectivity and giving a boost to economic activities in those areas.

According to sources, currently there is no unified data on all types of roads in the border areas and hence entrusting that task to one organisation will be helpful for better planning and execution of works.