Will upgrade border outposts: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal

GUWAHATI: Toeing the line of the MOITRI scheme for modernization of police stations, State government is all set to launch a scheme for infrastructural development of the border outposts (BOPs), including the overhaul of barracks to be built adjacent to the BOPs for the convenience of the men in uniform.

In phase-1 of the scheme 50 BOPs will be upgraded, and around Rs. 100 crore will be earmarked for the purpose. Subsequently other BOPs of the state will be covered under the scheme.

Chairing a meeting of the Home and Border Protection and Development Department here on Friday, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that for efficient management of inter-state boundary areas and making the border are development programmes successful, roads leading to the BOPs need to be made motorable, bedsides making provisions for uninterrupted power supply to the BOPs.

Sonowal said that the personnel detailed for ensuring safety of people living along the inter-state boundary deserve good facilities. He, therefore, asked the Border Protection and Development Department to chalk out an action plan on an emergent basis for the construction of good quality roads and bridges to reach out even to the impregnable areas.

Sonowal said that in view of the request of the department, the government would provide four motorcycles and eight bicycles to each of the 100 BOPs. Moreover, government would also provide fuel for the motorcycles.

The senior officers of the Home, Border Protection and Development Department apprised the Chief Minister of the prevailing condition along the border areas.

Harping on the importance of solving all outstanding boundary issues with the neighbouring States amicably through dialogue, the Chief Minister asked the senior officers of the departments to have regular talks with their counterparts. He also took stock of the situation along the Indo-Bangla Border that Assam shares with the neighbouring country and the NRC (National Register of Citizens) exercise.

Chief Minister's media advisor Hrishikesh Goswami, Chief Secretary Jishnu Baruah, and other top officials were present at the meeting, a press release said.

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