The Narendra Modi government has approved the hiring of 9,400 new troops for the creation of seven new border battalions, as well as a new operational base for the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) which is responsible for guarding India's 3,488-km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) on the eastern flank. The decision was taken on Wednesday during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The ITBP was established following the Chinese aggression of 1962, and it currently has about 90,000 personnel. The new manpower will be used to man 47 new border posts and a dozen 'staging camps' or troops bases, largely in Arunachal Pradesh. The bases were initially sanctioned in 2020, and the new troops will ensure effective guarding of the LAC.
The seven new battalions and a new sector headquarter, comprising about 9,400 personnel, are expected to be put in place by 2025-26. The creation of 47 new border posts will lead to a 26% increase in the strength of these bases, while the induction of 9,400 fresh personnel will enhance the strength of the ITBP by 10%. The force currently has 176 border posts at the LAC.
According to Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur, a non-recurring expenditure of ₹1,808.15 crore is estimated to be spent on land acquisition, creation of office and residential buildings, and arms and ammunition. A recurring annual expenditure of ₹963.68 crore will also be done under the salaries and rations head for the fresh manpower.
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The decision to hire new troops comes at a time when India and China are engaged in a standoff at Ladakh since 2020. The ITBP is working alongside the Indian Army at the front, and the new troops will help to strengthen the country's border defense.
