(a) whether there is poor connectivity in the border
areas of the country;
(b) whether the Government proposes to build more roads
for better connectivity between habitations in the border
areas;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) the total habitations which are proposed to be connected
with roads in the border areas; and
(e) the total estimated cost of building the said roads in
the border areas of the country?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN)
(a) to (e): There is no special project under the consideration of
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for connectivity of the border areas with
roads. However, Govt. of India has been implementing a Border Area
Development Programme (BADP) through the State Govt. as a part of a
comprehensive approach to Border Management in 358 identified border
blocks of 96 districts of 17 border States which constitutes international
land border with neighbouring countries. The main objective of the BADP is
to meet the special developmental needs of the people living in remote and
inaccessible areas with the entire essential infrastructure through
convergence of Central/State/ BADP/Local schemes and participatory
approach. The programme is a gap filing programme and supplemental
in nature. The developmental activities under BADP relate to social
infrastructure, link roads, employment generation, education, health,
agriculture and allied sectors. The funds are provided to the States
as a 100% non-lapsable Central Grant for supplementing the State efforts.
While Government of India lays down the broad guidelines, the scheme/
projects are finalized and executed by the State Governments.
In addition to the above, MHA has taken up construction of
roads along various borders which are primarily meant for the
operational convenience of the Border Guarding Forces.