The Indian government has decided to have 'floating' outposts on the Gujarat and Indo-Bangladesh border areas to check infiltration, illegal immigration and smuggling, Minister of State for Home I D Swami told the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.   

A decision has been taken to procure 14 floating outposts for deployment in the creek areas of Gujarat and riverine areas of Indo-Bangladesh border, Swami said.

The border outposts would facilitate better domination of the riverine and creek areas, which are otherwise difficult to monitor, he said adding the first set of three such outposts has already been commissioned.

The government has taken several steps including augmentation of troops at border outposts, use of night vision devices and mobile patrolling to check infiltration, he said.

The Centre has also approved Rs 1,334 crore for constructing additional roads and fencing along the remaining portion of the Indo-Bangladesh border under Phase-II involving 2,429.5 kms and road network of 797 kms, he said.

Minister of State for Home Harin Pathak said the government is aware and concerned about Pakistan and its intelligence agencies exploiting the open India-Nepal border, for activities detrimental to India, with the help of Indian extremist elements.