Need to find out if adversaries are behind increased natural disasters in border states: Rajnath Singh

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Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Friday expressed concern over the escalating number of natural disasters in certain border states and union territories, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive study to determine if India's adversaries are behind it.

Singh highlighted that climate change is no longer solely a weather-related issue but is also linked to national security.

Speaking at an event in Dhak village near Joshimath, he inaugurated a bridge and 34 infrastructure projects in border areas implemented by the Border Roads Organisation at a cost of Rs 670 crore.

Singh noted the increased frequency of natural disasters in states like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Ladakh, suggesting a potential link to climate change.

However, he called for a detailed study to investigate if adversaries play a role, without specifying any particular country. The defence ministry considers the rise in natural disasters in these regions a serious matter and is open to seeking assistance from friendly countries for a comprehensive study.

"We feel the subject deserves a detailed study for which the help of friendly countries can also be taken if needed," he said.

He said the Modi government's approach to the development of border area infrastructure is different from the approach of previous governments.

"We do not treat border areas as buffer zones. For us they are part of our mainstream. We want to go in our development journey from the seas to the borders. That is why we are creating world class infrastructure also in our border areas," he said.

He said the BRO has played an extraordinary role in this in recent years.

He also showered praise on the women personnel of the BRO in the successful rescue of the trapped workers at the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi district by preparing a 1.5 km track up a hill slope in difficult terrain.

The 35 projects inaugurated on Friday include 29 bridges, and six roads for Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh.

Out of the 29 bridges, 10 are located in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, eight in Arunachal Pradesh, six in Ladakh, three in Uttarakhand, one in Himachal Pradesh and one in Mizoram.

Out of the six roads three are in Ladakh, two in Sikkim and one is located in Jammu and Kashmir. (With inputs from agencies)