In a significant development aimed at enhancing border security and infrastructure, Union Home and Cooperation Minister, Amit Shah inaugurated key infrastructure projects along the Indo-Pakistan border in Gujarat’s Kutch.
According to an official release by BSF Gujarat, Amit Shah laid the foundation stone for a Mooring Place at Koteshwar for the Border Security Force (BSF) in Kutch and he also inaugurated the newly constructed Chidiyamod-Biarbet Link Road and OP Tower in the Harami Nala area of the district.
During the event, the Home Minister highlighted the government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the nation’s borders. He emphasised that the Mooring Place at Koteshwar will play a pivotal role in maintaining BSF Floating BOPs and water vessels, enabling round-the-clock surveillance and operations in the hard-to-reach creeks.
The Mooring Place project, with an allocated budget of 257 crore, serves as a testament to the government’s dedication to bolstering the capabilities of border guarding forces.
The strategically positioned Mooring Place, spreading across 60 acres, holds critical importance as infrastructure for BSF Water Vessels in the Creek region. This state-of-the-art facility is expected to significantly enhance maritime security operations and resource availability for BSF personnel deployed in the region.
Amit Shah also inaugurated the Chidiyamod-Biarbet Link Road and an OP Tower near BP No. 1164 in the Harami Nala area. The construction of the Link Road marks a crucial step in improving accessibility and connectivity to border regions.
Constructed by CPWD at a cost of 106.2 crore, this 28.2 Km road will facilitate smoother movement of personnel and resources, contributing to enhanced border management and security operations.
The OP Tower at BP 1164 in Harami Nala, constructed at a cost of Rs 3 crore, ensures a continuous BSF presence, strengthens security, and fortifies the area against intrusions.
The event witnessed the Home Minister acknowledging the tireless efforts of the Border Security Force in safeguarding the nation’s borders. He commended their unwavering commitment and professionalism.
The Director General of BSF expressed gratitude in his welcome address, thanking the Home Minister for sanctioning funds to develop border security infrastructure. He emphasised the pivotal role of these infrastructure developments in advancing the operational capabilities of the Force.
The event was attended by various dignitaries, including Harsh Sanghavi, MoS (Home), Gujarat, Vinod Chavda, MP of Kutch, Pradhyuman Sinh Jadeja, MLA, Abdasa, Ajay Bhalla, IAS, Union Home Secretary, Nitin Agrawal, IPS, DG BSF, P V Rama Sastry, IPS, SDG, BSF (Western Command), and Ravi Gandhi, IG BSF, Gujarat Frontier.
These initiatives in the Kutch border area underscore the government’s commitment to modernise and strengthen border infrastructure, enhance security mechanism and fortify national defence.
The release also stated that the Mooring Place at Koteshwar, Chidiyamod Biarbet Link Road, and OP Tower at BP 1164 are significant steps towards ensuring the safety and sovereignty of the nation’s borders.
“The Home Minister was presented with a memento by Nitin Agrawal, IPS, DG BSF. Furthermore, P V Rama Sastry, IPS, SDG (Western Command), expressed gratitude through a vote of thanks,” the release noted.
On the operational front, since 2021, BSF Gujarat has neutralised 2 Pakistani smugglers on the IB in the Barmer Sector and apprehended 09 Pakistani Nationals, 04 Bangladeshi Nationals and 05 nationals from other countries in the border area. Additionally, 25 Pakistani fishermen were apprehended, and 81 Pakistani fishing boats were seized in the Creek and Harami Nalla area during the period.
BSF has also seized significant quantities of illegal substances, including 119 Kg of Heroin, 130 Kg of Charas, 3 Kg of Amphetamine and 160 Kg of Doda-Posht all valued at 600 crore, according to the official release.
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