Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurates revamped viewers’ gallery at Wagah border

During the visit, the Home Minister also laid the foundation stone for Security Force Residential Complex at the Integrated Check Post (ICP), Attari at the Indo-Pak International Border. He also unveiled newly created facilities at the Joint Check Post (JCP).

4 min readAmritsarJan 23, 2019 09:57 AM IST

Rajnath Singh inaugurates revamped viewers’ gallery at Wagah border

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh (centre) with BJP Punjab president Shwait Malik and others inaugurated the newly constructed viewers’ gallery at Attari Border. (Express photo: Rana Simranjit Singh)

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday inaugurated the revamped viewers’ gallery for retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border on Tuesday. He also watched retreat ceremony of the BSF and the Pakistan Rangers next to zero line on International Border and said that India wanted peaceful relations with its neighbour.

A press note by the BSF said: “Since tourists from all over the world visit this place for witnessing this prestigious…Beating the Retreat Ceremony Parade, hence, in order to accommodate more spectators and considering their comfort a ‘New Viewers’ Gallery’ has been constructed at JCP, Attari which involves many public amenities like expansion of sitting capacity from 3000 to 15000 spectators, installation of three ultra-modern LED screens with state of art acoustics, carpeting of approach road, underground cable work and acceleration of central and side-walks have also been incorporated for convenience of the visitors.”

During the visit, the Home Minister also laid the foundation stone for Security Force Residential Complex at the Integrated Check Post (ICP), Attari at the Indo-Pak International Border. He also unveiled newly created facilities at the Joint Check Post (JCP).

Home Minister Rajnath Singh at the foundation stone laying ceremony of a residential complex for BSF personnel at Integrated Check Post in Attari. (Express photo: Rana Simranjit Singh)

Addressing a gathering at ICP, he said that people living in border areas are strategic assets for the nation. He appealed to BSF personnel to take care of them while doing their duties.

A statement by the BSF said that the Home Minister, while referring to Pakistan, stated, “India wanted cordial and peaceful relations with its neighbour. India has taken many initiatives to ensure that both the neighboring countries co-exist in an atmosphere of peace and mutual trust. Even the beating the Retreat Ceremony at JCP, Attari was started on India’s initiatives so that citizens of both countries could see the ceremony conducted by BSF and Pak Rangers together. We expect reciprocity to our repeated overtures of friendship and goodwill from Pakistan too.”

Talking about residential complex, he said that this will be the first residential complex at ICP and the government has decided to construct such kind of complexes at ICPs of the country.

Rajnath Singh said, “This facility will further boost the morale of security personnel. With modern facilities at this ICP, trade will not only be increased with our neighbour, but also with other countries through this route. These facilities will also provide employment to locals.”

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He added,” BSF had the honour of being the largest border guarding force in the world and is doing an exemplary work in protecting the Indo-Pak and Indo-Bangladesh borders. BSF is India’s formidable first wall of defence. For overall development of country, it is necessary that its borders remain secure from all types of external threats, and for the last 54 years, the BSF has been safeguarding the Indian borders with great determination and professional expertise.”

Later on talking to media, Rajnath Singh said that the government has started the process to acquire the land for Kartarpur corridor in Gurdaspur district of the state.

“I had meeting with concerned officials today and Kartarpur corridor will be completed in time bound manner,” said Rajnath.

Rajnath was welcomed by DG BSF Rajni Kant Mishra, Inspector General BSF, Punjab Frontier, Mahipal Singh Yadav and other senior officials.

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Rajni Kant Mishra, Director General, Border Security Force briefed him about various operational and administrative activities being undertaken by BSF in Punjab. They were later briefed about the functioning of ICP and JCP, Attari.

Kamaldeep Singh Brar

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More

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