Bhuj, May 29 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said nearly 70 per cent of the infrastructure strengthening work in the Sir Creek and Harami Nala border region of Gujarat had been completed and asserted that the area would become “permanently secure” within the next two years.

Addressing Border Security Force personnel at Border Outpost G7 in Bhuj, Home Minister Shah said the Centre had initiated a comprehensive plan after identifying vulnerabilities in the region during an early review meeting after he assumed office as Home Minister.

“When I became the Home Minister of the country, in the first BSF review, this Harami Nala and Sir Creek region appeared somewhat weak from the security point of view,” Home Minister Shah said.

He said the government had prepared a “leak-proof security grid” plan covering watch towers, connecting roads, drinking water, medical facilities, accommodation and new fencing infrastructure.

“I can say that nearly 70 per cent of the work has been completed, and within two years this area, which appeared vulnerable, will become permanently secure from the evil eye of the enemy,” Home Minister Shah said.

He added that both the Union Home Ministry and the government were satisfied with the progress made in the strategically sensitive border belt.

The Home Minister said authorities had attempted to reduce the difficulties faced by jawans posted in the harsh terrain by improving facilities and deploying technology.

“We have never looked back because of budget constraints, nor have we left any gap in using technology for the necessary measures,” he said.

Home Minister Shah also referred to the technical and geographical challenges involved in constructing surveillance towers in the marshy terrain of the Rann of Kutch.

He said the entire border outpost area had been elevated by around 3.75 metres above ground level, while stone protection walls had been built along roads to prevent flood damage.

“The entire Rann region was submerged under 1.5 metres of water during the survey process,” Home Minister Shah said, adding that he had personally monitored progress for nearly three months to ensure the survey work did not stop because of flooding.

Praising the BSF personnel stationed in the region, Home Minister Shah said they stood “like a rock” between Sir Creek and the people of Bhuj, ensuring the security of the area.

The Home Minister inaugurated border infrastructure facilities, including G7 and G13, during his visit and reviewed surveillance arrangements in the Sir Creek region along the India-Pakistan border.

–IANS

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