Rs 174 crore Allotted for border development

Mumbai Dec 12: In a move to improve the infrastructure along the borders Indian government has released funds. The Ministry of Home Affairs had released Rs 174 crore to six states having an international border for development of infrastructure.

Officials said that "An amount of Rs 174.32 crore was released to Assam, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal under the Border Area Development Programme (BADP)".

BADP is a centrally funded scheme in which money would be allocated for the development of 0-10 km of the international border in 17 states. Funds will also be utilized for promoting activities such as Swatchhta Abhiyan, skill development, sports activities, rural tourism, border tourism and protection of heritage sites.

BADP also includes other areas such as the construction of helipads in remote and inaccessible hilly areas, training to farmers for the use of modern/scientific techniques, organic farming .