MHA seeks to install mobile towers along China border

Move to ensure quick communication; BSNL to prepare report.

TO ensure relay of real time information about any kind of movement along the China border ,the Ministry of Home Affairs has asked state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) to prepare a feasibility report on installing mobile phone towers in these far-flung areas.

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP),which is deployed along the Line of Actual Control,had requested the MHA to explore the possibility of telecommunication facilities at the border outposts,most of which are located at an altitude of 18,000 feet.

We want to monitor the situation sitting here in Delhi too. There are occasions when the information takes lot of time reaching the concerned officer,this delays our response time also. The BSNL has been asked to prepare the report and explore the possibilities of putting up the towers. Communication is still a big challenge for our jawans posted in these areas. We do have satellite phones and our communication set up but they also have their limitations, said a senior ITBP official.

The government has sanctioned Rs 1,260 crore to fortify the BOPs and upgrade the facilities for ITBP jawans,to be spent in a phased manner till 2017. The funds will be used to improve the living conditions of the ITBP jawans at 69 posts along the 3,488 km border.

At 69 outposts (of ITBP),we want to give solar-backed power in an eco-friendly way so that our jawans in front posts have electricity 24 hours… this is one of the big spending that we are going to do in ITBP and (also) upgrade forward posts, said Minister of State for Home R P N Singh. Singh,who officiated as the chief guest of the 52nd Raising Day celebrations of ITBP,said the idea was not only to make these border posts strong but also provide the interior locations with water and electricity as the troops of the paramilitary work in extremely harsh weather conditions. As part of its modernisation plans,ITBP will be constructing 35 additional BOPs out of the sanctioned funds. These will mostly come up in the Ladakh sector where the average distance between two posts in 20-25 kilometres.