Rs 300-cr 'air wing' for ITBP soon

New Delhi, Oct 23: The government has agreed in principle to the Rs 300-crore 'aviation wing' proposal of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) as part of its modernisation plan and preparing it for 21st century challenges.

The proposal for a nine-helicopter fleet has been approved by the ministry and a cabinet note on it was being prepared, ITBP Director General V K Joshi told mediapersons today.

''The 'air wing', which needs heavy investment of nearly 300 crores, would however be not exclusively catering to the interests of the ITBP but other central para-military forces as well.'' The move, which would help in emergency situations like medical evacuation, provision dropping in tough terrains besides communication access, will greatly enhance the working capability of the force and reduce dependence on the Air Force, he said.

On expansion of the force, Mr Joshi said a request for raising additional 22 battalions, to facilitate rotation of jawans deployed at higher altitudes, was lying with the government.

''The government was considering the Rs 1,400-crore expansion proposal and we expect it to react positively given the nature of the forces' problems.'' The government has also sanctioned building of 27 roads worth 912 crores which would be completed by 2011-12 and help in the mobility of jawans in unaccessible areas where presently it takes upto nine days to reach a post, he informed reporters on the eve of the force's Raising Day.

''A detailed project report (DPR) is being prepared and work on it would begin soon after its clearance.'' Denying that the suicide rate in the ITBP was high, the DG said, ''We are concerned with the rate of suicide but till now we have not been able to relate it with their working conditions. It has been due to independent reasons.'' Despite this, the suicide rate in ITBP remains the least among all central para-military forces and the morale of our jawans remains high, he added.

The DG, in association with Secretary (Posts) Ms Jyotsna, also released a commemorative stamp to mark the 3rd 'ITBP Everest Expedition 2006'.

UNI