Defence Secretary urges infrastructure firms to contribute towards developing border areas

Vibrant Villages Programme urges border people to remain resident in border areas (Above: Traditional bamboo bridge over the Siang River)

 

By Ajai Shukla

Business Standard, 10th May 24

 

Addressing a national meet on “Emerging Technologies in Infrastructure Development,” in the capital on Thursday, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane emphasised on the need for self-reliance in every field to deal with future challenges.

 

Organised by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the two-day event saw the Armed Forces, academia, industry and DRDO focus on infrastructure development in line with ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India).

 

Aramane asserted that there is no single trend in geopolitics, and India cannot depend on other countries for its security and for safeguarding national interests. Only self-reliance would help the country take giant strides towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.

 

Underlining the government’s emphasis on developing border infrastructure, the defence secretary exhorted infrastructure firms to focus on strengthening the infrastructure apparatus. 

 

Separately the DRDO Chairman Samir Kamat emphasised on the importance of infrastructure in the development of a nation. He stated that India is witnessing a phenomenal growth in the field of technical infrastructure, which is essential for maintaining the country’s strategic deterrence.

 

Added that technology is evolving rapidly, the DRDO chairman said that sustainable infrastructure and green infrastructure were now becoming a part of the technical domain. 

 

“It's time to explore ways to incorporate the latest technologies in our technical infrastructure. We have made a good start, but work needs to be done to catch up with the best practices," he said.

 

He said that, while the armed forces were being provided with latest weapons/equipment, the private sector should contribute in bolstering the infrastructure set-up in border areas. 

 

Aramane referred to the Vibrant Villages Programme, which aims to motivate border people to remain in their native locations in border areas. He urged firms to set up a separate section, within their respective organisations, which focuses on development in far-flung areas.  

 

He said the DRDO is supporting the private sector in R&D, and called upon the industry to walk hand-in-hand with the government.

 

The symposium, being attended by over 500 delegates with five technical sessions, will deliberate upon emerging technologies in infrastructure development being expounded by experts from the users, industry, academia and scientists from DRDO.