Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday held a meeting with Sanjay Gunjyal, Frontier Commander of the Northern Frontier Headquarters of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Dehradun and had a detailed discussions regarding the role of ITBP in the border districts of Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti and issues concerning security along the India-China border.
Apart from this, various topics were deliberated upon, including a roadmap for promoting border tourism in the frontier regions of the state, procurement of local produce for ITBP supplies, and provision of medical services to local communities through ITBP healthcare facilities.
The Chief Minister said that to strengthen disaster management the state government would establish improved coordination with ITBP’s regional response centre, adding that helipads located in ITBP-controlled zones could be utilized to promote tourism in remote areas. All formalities in this regard would be completed in consultation with the force, which would also help enhance connectivity.
Sukhu said that the state government was taking several steps to strengthen the rural economy and if ITBP procures food products directly from local residents, it would create employment opportunities and benefit farmers and horticulturists. He urged ITBP officials to prioritize the involvement of local residents in construction projects after completing all requisite formalities.
He also directed the state officials to expedite all procedures for establishing communication towers in border areas and lauded the developmental efforts and other initiatives undertaken by the ITBP in frontier regions.
Commander Sanjay Gunjyal briefed the Chief Minister about steps taken under the Vibrant Village Programme for the construction of three proposed roads in the Sangla Valley and Kaurik area. He also shared details of 15 additional roads proposed in remote and forward border regions of the state.
