Will take steps soon to strengthen border roads network: Rijiju

DHARCHULA: The Union government will soon be speeding up the work to build and strengthen roads near the border areas according to Kiran Rijiju, minister of state for home who flagged off a mountain biking rally in Nabhidang in the Dharchula area at 1,4140ft above sea level on Wednesday morning.
He added that in order to stem migration from hill villages, the Central govt was also looking at improving communication and other infrastructure facilities near border villages.Speaking about the development of infrastructure and communication facilities along the border areas Rijiju asserted that the issue of communication remains challenge.
“Local people and forces face challenges related to communication. This is 21st century India and we should be able to provide all types of communications to our people. I am directly responsible to ensure that border area deployment fund and other supplies are enhanced which we are going to do it. People will be able to get larger benefits,” added the minister of state.
Replying to the queries related to inter security of the country he added that the issue is always of prime importance. “It is round the clock thing and we give due importance to the issue. We are very much concerned about how to keep our internal security robust. I assure that there is no need of panic and the government is capable to handling the security of the nation,” said Rijiju.
Kiran Rijiju, minister of state for home, flagging off a mountain biking rally in Dharchula area on Wednesday morning.
The expedition, an initiative of Sashastra Seema Bal will conclude Delhi on October 27. Total 41 participants from the SSB including eight female personnel started the expedition at 9.15am. As per the SSB officials this expedition is the longest and the toughest till the date in the history of any Central Armed Police Forces including the SSB.
Praising the efforts of the SSB, the minister said, “This is a very difficult terrain and unreachable too as it takes days of foot trekking to reach here. I praise the efforts of the SSB and congratulate them for such and initiative. This expedition also carries ‘Swacch Bharat Abhiyan’ of the Prime Minister. Our forces are not only defending the borders and the country but also working for the welfare of the people.”
The minister himself volunteered for the SSB when the force ran a training programme in remote areas border states to train general public to counter threat in case of any aggression. The initiative was taken after 1962 India-China war as a counter-measure to get people equipped with skills to maintain resistance till the military arrives. The volunteers were paid along with providence of training, accommodation and other facilities. With time the plan was dropped as the rules of the warfare changed.
The expedition starting from Nabhidang will reach on October 26 followed by flagin ceremony the next day. The participants will reach Delhi via Dharchula, Didihaat, Pithoragarh, Almora, Ranikhet, Nainital, Kathgodam, Baajpur in Uttarakhand entering in Uttar Pradesh in Rampur, Brijghat, Ghaziabad and then Delhi.
Rajesh Thakur, one of the participants and commandant who recently completed Shimla mountain biking expedition successfully recently said, “Such expeditions are not only good for the armed forces but also helpful in creating awareness on various issues. Mountain biking is eco-friendly, cost effective, helps in boosting of health carrying many other benefits.”
M Ranjeeta Devi, sub-inspector in the SSB and one of the participants who is also preparing for an expedition to Mount Everest said, "This is a challenging task and sumpake another one stuous food for those who love adventure. I hope to complete this expedition and take another one soon."