Shinde visits marshy area near Sir Creek, promises new road

Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde today visited a marshy region, near the disputed Sir Creek, in Kutch and announced that approval for building a concrete road in the region would be given in a week's time.
Lauding the role of BSF personnel in guarding this difficult terrain, which is prone to infiltration from Pakistan, Shinde assured them that approval for building a concrete road right upto the bank of Harami Nala would be granted in a week's time.
"Approval for a concrete road right upto 1170 pillar outpost will be given by the government within a week's time," Shinde said during a media interaction at Lakhpat.

Presently, manning the region is posing a big challenge to the security forces who have to deploy all terrain vehicles (ATV) for their movement.
He also announced that a Border Out Post (BOP) will come up near the bank of Harami Nala to intensify vigil around the porous marshy region.
Speaking on the announced BOP, IG BSF A K Sinha told PTI, "a proposal for laying 7 km concrete road right upto 1170 pillar outpost from the post number 1175 is there, which will provide access upto the bank of Harami Nala and facilitate logistic movement. As part of the plan, a BoP will also be set up there."

Harami Nala is a marshy, sluggish and shallow water channel, spread over 500 sq km on the India-Pakistan border which has witnessed many intrusions from Pakistan.

The marshy topography makes it difficult for troops to react swiftly in case of infiltration and presently they have to use All Terrain Vehicles to keep a vigil.
Both India and Pakistan are engaged in a political battle over this area, which is believed to be rich in oil and gas, and the brackish water here makes for good fishing ground.
During his visit, Shinde also interacted with the BSF personnel who sought 'special allowance' for them at par with what is paid to their counterparts posted in rugged terrains like the Himalayas.