The ministry of home affairs has told parliament about the project on different occasions. New projects have also been initiated from a particular fund for border infrastructure.

In 2020, the central government approved the construction of 32 India-China Border Roads (ICBR)-II, measuring 683.12 km, at an estimated cost of Rs 12,434.90 crore. Work has started on eight roads and land acquisition and other statutory clearances have been obtained for 18 other roads while work is on for 14.

Similarly, for the development of critical infrastructure in border areas of Arunachal Pradesh, the government in 2020 approved the construction of 18 foot tracks (including requisite number of foot suspension bridges, log bridges and staging camps), measuring 598.27 km at an estimated cost of Rs 1,162.19 crore. Land acquisition and other statutory clearances are on.

INDO-CHINA BORDER

The government initiated a project under which 25 ICBR-I roads will be constructed. These roads will connect border areas from other parts of the state making the border more accessible. Similarly, construction of 32 ICBR-II roads are also on. The project is to build a total of 177 roads of 10,000 km along the China border. Similarly, a critical road on the Indo-China border is also being constructed.

The MHA has undertaken the construction of 25 ICBR-I roads measuring 751.58 km along the Indo-China border at an estimated cost of Rs 3,482.52 crore. Out of 751.58 km, formation of 721.02 km (95 per cent) and surfacing of 545.05 km (74 per cent) has been completed. As many as 18 roads measuring 475.29 km have been completed and are operational. Work on seven roads is on.

A standalone project for roads is underway with an upgrade for 32 helipads in Ladakh. The construction of 18 foot tracks in Arunachal Pradesh are on the list of infrastructure projects of the government.

Another project is that of 47 new ITBP border outposts (BOPs) and 12 staging camps, which will boost ITBP that guards the Indo-China border.

INDO-PAKISTAN BORDER

The most important border due to infiltration and terrorism, the government has planned massive development work at the Indo-Pak border. The government plans to increase fencing and road works in the next two years.

The MHA is also monitoring the work of installing flood lights so that troops can keep an eye on suspicious movement at night. A large area has already been covered.

Another important development project is construction of lateral and axial roads in Punjab and Rajasthan. The home ministry is also involved in deployment of technological solutions like anti-drone technology, thermal imaging, movement sensors among others.

The MHA is also supervising the work of border outposts to keep strict vigil on the Indo-Pak border. The government is constructing marine infrastructure in Gujarat so that smugglers can be traced and intercepted by the forces.

INDO-NEPAL AND INDO-BHUTAN BORDER

The government is constructing a 1,377-km road network along the Indo-Nepal border in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Apart from this, development of infrastructure and land acquisition for SSB BOPs are also on. The government is also installing land ports for smooth flow of supplies and easy clearance at these borders, and both countries are in touch with India.

INDO-MYANMAR BORDER

One of the important borders, it will have a company operating base (COB) of Assam Rifles soon. The MHA is in the process of construction close to the Myanmar border. Similarly, the work is also on for the construction of fence and road along the Indo-Myanmar border.

INDO-BANGLADESH BORDER

In the last few years, the government has expedited work at the Indo-Bangladesh border due to illegal movement. The MHA is supervising various developmental work, which includes fencing and roadworks, construction of Indo-Bangladesh road (Phase II) and bridges from BOP Simna to BOP Harinakhola in Tripura.

The government is also inducting technology solutions to monitor the border apart from construction of BOPs. Just like the Indo-Pak border, the Modi-led government has planned to stall flood lights and watch towers on this border, apart from improving existing infrastructure.

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Major incentives for the Indian defence manufacturing industry in the Budget includes reserving 68% capex acquisition budget for weapons purchases from the domestic market and increased allocation for border roads development.

The industry has welcomed the plan to earmark a significant part of the Rs 19,000 crore plus research and development budget of the defence ministry for the private sector that is gearing to develop major platforms for sale to the armed forces as well as exports.

“Our government is committed to reducing imports in equipment for the armed forces…defence R&D will be opened up for the industry, startups and academic with 25% of the defence R&D budget earmarked,” finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said.

Though contours of the allocation have not been disclosed, the Defence Research and Development Organisation is expected to play a major role in handholding the private sector with joint development projects. Promoting a collaborative model for research, the minister said that a special purpose vehicle model could be adopted for joint development of systems.

“Private industry will be encouraged to take up design and development of military equipment in collaboration with DRDO through an SPV model,” she said. Defence minister Rajnath Singh welcomed the move to promote R&D by the private sector.

“Substantial amounts have been allocated towards research and development in several sectors including defence. The proposal to reserve 25% of R&D budget for startups and private entities is an excellent move,” the minister said.

Announcing several measures aimed at boosting the Indian defence manufacturing sector and reducing imports, Sitharaman said that this year 68% of capital expenditure budget will be reserved for domestic procurement. This is a step up from last year, when 63% of capital budget was earmarked for domestic purchases.

The minister took up another longstanding demand of the industry for a robust testing and certification body, announcing that an umbrella organisation will be set up for the same in the coming financial year.

“Creation of a nodal body for setting up testing and certification requirements of defence systems and platforms will help domestic industry through faster processes and cost-efficiency,” Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers president SP Shukla said. The government has allocated Rs 5.25 lakh crore (including pensions) for the defence forces this year, which includes capital expenditure of Rs 1.52 lakh crore, a 12.8% increase in the capital budget for forces.

The defence ministry also spent an additional Rs 21,000 crore in the 2021-22 financial year above the budgetary allocation following the LAC standoff with China that necessitated emergency procurements of arms and equipment and creation of border infrastructure for troops.

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