In a significant decision aimed at strengthening security at international borders, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday cleared the project of Flood Protection in Border Areas to protect Border out Posts (BOPs) along International Boundary Fencing at a cost Rs. 176.29 crores. Chairing a meeting of the State Flood Control Board in this regard at his official residence, the Chief Minister said that the state government has been repeatedly getting requests from BSF and Army to protect Border Out Posts (BOP’s) along the international border.
He said that the sites are affected by flood waters of Rivers Ravi, Sutlej and Ujh adding that in the past limited state funds had to be diverted to protect defense installations of National importance. However, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that given the National Security aspect of these works, state government has conceived a project costing Rs 176.29 crore for 28 sites in the state.
The Chief Minister said that Flood Protection Works in Border Areas are of utmost importance to Protect BOP in wake of national security. He said that International Boundary Fencing and Other Defense Infrastructure has been already Established across the border in Term of National Security.
Bhagwant Singh Mann said that now the need of the hour is to strengthen the flood protection works so that security of the country is not compromised. The Chief Minister said that in this ambitious project the sites have been jointly identified with the Army and will fall in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Pathankot and Gurdaspur districts of the state.
Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the work will be carried out on 28 sites adding that 8695.27 Hectares of land will be benefited from this project. He said that out of 28 sites, seven are in Ferozepur, 11 are in Amritsar, three in Tarn Taran, five are in Gurdaspur and two are in Pathankot district.
The Chief Minister said that as a part of this project 1788 feet embankment is proposed in Tarn Taran district, 1050 feet in Ferozepur and 2875 feet in Gurdaspur. Likewise, he said that the project will include 29140 feet of Revetment, 22 spurs and 95 studs.
Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the project is strategically important for the country especially in wake of Punjab being a border state.