Previous Govts Never Cared About Infrastructure Development on Border: Amit Shah’s Jibe at Oppn

GG News Bureau

Araria, 17th Sept. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah lashed out at previous governments on Saturday saying earlier governments never cared about the infrastructure development on the border.

Shah said this while inaugurating the newly constructed residential premises built at a cost of Rs 27 crore at Jogbani Integrated Check Post of Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) in Araria, Bihar.

Amit Shah also inaugurated the newly constructed office buildings of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) worth Rs 35 crore at Bathnaha.

On this occasion, many dignitaries including Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai; Secretary Border Management, Atul Dulloo; Director General, Sashastra Seema Bal, Rashmi Shukla and Chairman, Land Ports Authority of India, Aditya Mishra were present.

In his address, the Union Home Minister said that today is the death anniversary of the brave son of India, Param Vir Chakra awardee Shri Tarapore ji. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a forever memory of Shri Tarapore ji in the map of India by naming an island in Andaman Nicobar as Tarapore Island.

Amit Shah said that there are many border related issues in Bihar, like infiltration, land grabbing and illegal trade.

He said that all the problems of the border areas can be solved by the Central and State governments together and with strict measures without the policy of appeasement.

He said that all these problems will be solved in the near future.

Union Home Minister and Minister Cooperation said that India shares more than 15,000 kilometers long land border with neighbouring countries.

He said that this land border can be used not only to increase trade but also to strengthen cultural, social and trade relations with neighbouring countries.

Shah said that in this direction, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken several steps to make the Land Ports Authority of India more efficient.

He said that in the coming 5-6 years, all the institutions of this LPAI will also work as our cultural and commercial ambassadors on the Indian borders with neighbouring countries.

He added that the Land Ports Authority of India is India’s first communication centre for our neighbouring countries.

The objective of the Land Ports Authority of India is to use modern facilities and technology and create an efficient system for smooth running of transport and trade.

Amit Shah said that houses built by the Land Ports Authority of India at a cost of Rs 27 crore for security personnel and other personnel in Jogbani have been inaugurated today. Apart from this, office premises built at a cost of Rs 35 crore in SSB, Bathnaha have also been inaugurated.

He said that Sashastra Seema Bal along with maintaining security on the border of our two friendly countries, Nepal and Bhutan, also works to increase cultural relations.

Shah said that from the India-China war of 1962 till today, the dedicated soldiers of India’s border security forces have not only secured the borders but also further strengthened the cultural identity of the villages located in the border areas and their connection with India.

He said that all the border security forces of India also work with full enthusiasm for the implementation of all the schemes being run for the poor and underprivileged people by the Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He said that whether it is the Covid-19 pandemic or floods, everywhere our border security forces have always conveyed the message of humanity to the border areas.

The Union Home Minister said that the average business figure of the Land Ports Authority of India, spread across an area of about 7,485 square kilometers, is Rs. 10,500 crore.

He expressed confidence that this figure will increase further in the coming days with the construction of the remaining three land-posts connected with Nepal.

Shah said that there has been a lot of progress in our coordination, collaboration, and cooperation with Nepal through the land port.

He said that over 7,000 trucks move through the post every day and over 14 percent of the total trade between India and Nepal takes place through this check post of the Land Port Authority.

Amit Shah said that earlier governments never cared about the infrastructure development on the border.

He said that after Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, significant progress has been made in border area infrastructure and the Prime Minister has ensured transformation of the last village of India into the first village.

Shah said that the Modi government has removed connectivity bottlenecks and taken the welfare schemes to the villages.

He said earlier, trade across land borders was nearly impossible, and was mostly illegal. However, legal trade has now increased, while illegal trade has significantly decreased. Additionally, people-to-people relations have become stronger, which is crucial.

He said that it is very important to increase people to people connect with our neighbouring countries and the Land Ports Authority is a one-step solution for all these tasks.

Shah said that all these objectives are being fulfilled at one place through the Land Port Authority.

The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that so far 11 land ports have been developed by the Modi government and work is in progress on several others.

He said that 19 land customs stations have also been identified between India and Nepal.

Shah said that out of these 19 customs stations, 10 are on the Bihar border, which will undoubtedly boost business for the people of Bihar.