CPWD to build road on Sir Creek

To help forces tackle the difficult terrain of Sir Creek,the Central Public Works Department

To help forces tackle the difficult terrain of Sir Creek,the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has agreed to build a 10-km stretch of road on marshy land. It will connect border post (BP) number 1175 to 1170. Though there are motorable roads to BP 1175,there is no connectivity between BP 1175 and BP 1131. The distance is 70 km and the area remains unmanned.

Home ministry officials said they had commissioned a study to build roads for better surveillance to National Building Construction Corporation,after which the CPWD was roped in. In phase I,a 10 km road will be built.

This will help India counter Pakistan which has territorial advantage on the border-sharing Haraminala which cuts through Pakistan and again enters India.

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Pakistan had also constructed an earthen bundh called China Bundh on its side which results in floods to the Indian side during the high tide.

This area,according to security experts remains one of the most vulnerable points where pakistan fishermen come into India waters without any hindrance.

On Gujarat border,BSF is set to get its first fleet of 4 fast-attack craft at a cost of nearly Rs 28 crore. The FAC are being imported from the US. Unlike a normal speed boat or all terrain vehicles (ATV),FAC can accommodate nearly 20 security personnel and are equipped with modern surveillance equipment and weapons.

The security personnel face difficulty in manning the border on ATV during low tide as they get stuck in marshy land. The decision was the result of reports that Pakistan has been using hovercraft to man its border.

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Security forces also plan to buy hovercraft. The personnel face difficulty in manning the border on ATV during low tide. After Mumbai 26/11 attack,BSF was asked to raise a fleet of marine commandos to be posted near Haraminala. They are specially trained commando groups for creek and marine related operations. About 40 personnel in all have been trained for this special task, DIG (Bhuj) sector A S Rathore.

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