The Hindu : New Delhi News : ITBP to raise 20 new battalions

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 24, 2007
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New Delhi

ITBP to raise 20 new battalions

Staff Reporter

It will take the pressure off the troops spending a long time at high altitudes

NEW DELHI: The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has been sanctioned 20 more battalions this year as part of its expansion plans. The recruitment drive is expected to take the pressure off the troops who earlier had to spend a long time at high altitudes in physically demanding conditions.

Addressing a press conference on the eve of its 46th Raising Day celebrations, ITBP Director-General V.K. Joshi said on Tuesday that 13 of the 20 sanctioned battalions had already been established. The force has also been sanctioned six stations and two zonal headquarters. Over 5,000 newly recruited personnel are at present undergoing training for operational deployment next year.

Mr. Joshi said the Government had also taken up a project for construction of 27 roads along the border that would be of immense help to the ITBP in manning the posts. The project, which is getting delayed due to the requisite environmental clearances, is expected to be completed by 2012.

At present 29 border outposts are “air-maintained” in the absence of a proper land-route access. Because of a scarcity of pilots and high maintenance costs, the plan to procure helicopters has got delayed.

The ITBP Director-General said there was a need for up-gradation of communication equipment and infrastructure development and that the issue had been taken up with the Government. The ITBP personnel posted at high altitudes presently use satellite phones to communicate with their families that involves very high tariffs.

Asked about reports of Chinese forces intruding into Indian territory, Mr. Joshi said though there was no major stand-off, about 140 minor incidents were reported in the past one year. He attributed most such cases of intrusion to general confusion over delineation of the border.

About its contributions in the field of disaster management, Mr. Joshi said: “The force has gained a wealth of experience by its deployment in mountainous terrains and is now putting it to good use in carrying out rescue and relief operations in the Himalayas, in Ladakh, Garhwal, Kumaon, Himachal Pradesh and the North-Eastern region.”

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