Spotlighting another border point, the ‘rogue channel

Source: The post is based on the article “Spotlighting another border point, the ‘rogue channel’” published in “The Hindu” on 13th September 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- Security- Security challenges and their management in border areas.

News: The author talks about India’s Home Minister, Amit Shah, and his recent efforts to boost border security at the tough Harami Nala region in Gujarat. This includes building observation towers, roads, and other infrastructure to stop illegal activities and infiltration from Pakistan.

What new initiative has India launched to secure its India-Pak border at Harami Nala region in Gujarat?

Observation Post Tower at BOP 1164: A 9.5-metre tall observation post tower equipped with high-resolution pan-tilt-zoom cameras was inaugurated. This will enhance intelligence-gathering capabilities.

Road and Mooring Infrastructure: The newly constructed Chidiyamod-Biarbet Link Road was inaugurated to improve connectivity. Additionally, a foundation stone for a mooring place at Koteshwar in Kutch was laid. This mooring project, with a budget of ₹257 crore, will support larger vessels and floating BOPs.

New Observation Posts: New observation towers are planned at BOPs 1165, 1166, and 1169. These towers, worth ₹3 crore each, will provide live camera feeds for continuous surveillance over Harami Nala’s surroundings.

Total Investment: These security enhancements are part of initiatives worth ₹361.35 crore, aiming to realize India’s Prime Minister vision of a “secure border”.

What are the impacts of this new initiative?

Enhanced Surveillance: The new observation post tower at BOP 1164 is equipped with high-resolution cameras, offering continuous live camera feed over the water and mudflats of Harami Nala. This significantly bolsters intelligence-gathering capabilities.

Infrastructure Boost: The inauguration of the Chidiyamod-Biarbet Link Road and the foundation stone for a mooring place at Koteshwar improves access and operational capacity. The Mooring Place project, in particular, will aid the BSF by allowing maintenance and berthing of bigger vessels in the Creek area.

Impenetrable Border: With the new observation posts, continuous surveillance, and improved road connectivity, the border, as stated by Amit Shah, is now considered impenetrable, ensuring no cross-border mischief.

Enhanced Naval Capabilities: The ₹257 crore Mooring Place project strengthens the BSF’s marine operations, allowing for berthing, repairs, and maintenance of larger vessels, including floating BOPs.

What is unique about Harami Nala?

Geography: It’s a natural water body, about 25 kilometers long, flowing from Pakistan into Kutch, south of the Vighakot sector.

Territory: Approximately 22 kilometers of the channel are on the Indian side of the International Boundary, which is uncontested.

Changing Landscape: Tidal waters from the Pakistani side are causing the channel to extend further into the Indian territory.

Economic Importance: The area is abundant in fish, especially prawns, attracting Pakistani fishing boats.

Industrial Activity: On the Indian side, away from the boundary, factories produce salt, bromide, and other chemicals using mineral-rich waters.

Challenging Terrain: Vast marshy mudflats surround it, with temperatures reaching above 50° Celsius in summer.