130 villages will become shield against China
130 villages will become a shield against China: Arunachal-Sikkim border villages started to be made into ideal villages
The Indian Army has identified 130 villages in border areas in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim to boost infrastructure. Army's Eastern Command Commander Lt Gen Rana Pratap Kalita on Friday said the development of model villages along the LAC is aimed at ensuring 'reverse migration' and preventing people from leaving the area for better prospects.
The commander said that out of 130 villages selected by the army, 28 are in Sikkim, and the rest are in Arunachal Pradesh. The planning work has already started in Kahoe village of Arunachal. China is increasing civilian settlements close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC). A lot of work is going on to develop road and telecommunication networks in key areas bordering China. Apart from the Centre, the Arunachal government is also developing model villages.
Work is on creating a 'single window system' for clearance for any infrastructure development within 100 km of the LAC. This initiative has been taken in view of delays in work on major projects due to delays in obtaining regulatory permissions.
