India's boost along China border: Centre approves 7 additional battalions for ITBP, allocates Rs 4800 cr for Vibrant Villages Programme

New Delhi, Feb 16: With an aim to strengthen the security framework along the China border, the Cabinet on Wednesday approved the raising of 7 new additional Battalions of Indo-Tibetan Border (ITBP). This development will increase the strength of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) to more than 10 per cent.

 

This would result in recruitment of 9,400 personnel for deployment in Arunachal Pradesh, where 47 new border outposts and 12 staging camps are under construction. Besides raising of seven additional Battalions, the CCS has also given approval to the set-up of one Sector Headquarter of ITBP.

 

 

This move comes in the bckdrop of the India-China border conflict in eastern Ladakh along Line of Actual Control that took place since 2020.

 

The ITBP was raised in the aftermath of the 1962 Chinese aggression and it is tasked to guard the 3,488-km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) on India's eastern flank. The outposts were sanctioned in January 2020.

 

In all, there are 176 ITBP outposts along the 3,488 km Line of Actual Control. Now, with this new development, the strength of the ITBP will increase to 97,000 from the current 88,000.

 

Reports suggest that the non-expenditure of 1808.15 crores is estimated on the construction of office and residential buildings, land acquisition and purchase of arms and ammunition. Apart from this, there will be a recurring expenditure of 963.68 crores per year on salaries, ration etc. of the personnel.