Context: Union home minister visited Harami Nala (rogue or treacherous channel) in the Sir Creek sector of Kutch region of Gujarat, near the India-Pakistan border.

About Harami Nala

• It is a natural water body, approximately 25 kilometers long, flowing from west to east from Pakistan into Kutch, just south of Vighakot sector. It is flanked by vast marshy mud flats affected by low and high tides.

• About 22 kilometers of the channel lie on the Indian side of “vertical line” of the International Boundary (IB) between India and Pakistan, which itself is not contested. A portion of Rajasthan’s Barmar district also touches this area.

• It is extremely rich in fishing, especially prawns.

• The formidable marshy terrain through which it runs makes it impossible to approach or patrol on foot, even during low tide.

• There are dangerous tides, muddy areas, and mirages, and it also gets extremely hot in the summer, with temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius.

• It is one of the most inhospitable places along the border and has also been at the center of cross-border mischief and exploitation by infiltrators.

Distinctive characteristics of Harami Nala

• The water body has some unique characteristics. Tidal waters surge from the Pakistani side, and over the years, the channel has extended further on the Indian side.

• The channel’s proximity to the coast and urban centers like Gujarat and Mumbai has made it an attractive route for potential infiltrators.

• On the Pakistani side lies the Chini-Bandh (China Bund, just north of Bondho Dhoro), built with Chinese assistance to prevent the tidal waters from inundating areas on their side.

• It is extremely rich in fishing, especially prawns.

• The marshy terrain through which it runs makes it impossible to approach or patrol on foot even during low tide.

Border Security Force Enhancements: Steps taken for Better Surveillance

India has been rapidly building composite Border Outposts (BOPs) along the border, including Creek and Harami Nala. They’ve improved mobility with all-terrain vehicles, used speed boats to deter Pakistani fishing boats, and enhanced infrastructure to reduce infiltration. Step taken by Border Security force to enhance Border security are –   

• Creation of Composite BOPs by Border Security Force: In the past few years, India has speeded up the creation of composite BOPs all along the border, including in the Creek and Harami Nala area. 

• A modern composite BOP 1175 was constructed in 2016 and BOP 1170 in 2022. 

• Use of Terrain Vehicles (ATVs): A set of all terrain vehicles (ATVs) were procured from Italy and stationed at border pillar 1175 helped in improving the situation and mobility of the border security force personnel. 

• Use of Speed boats: It prevents high ingress by Pakistani fishing boats.

• Better Infrastructure: The construction of embankments and road infrastructure along the “vertical line” of the International Boundary (IB) have enabled the new observation posts to come up between border pillars 1164 and 1153 in a manner that infiltration can be reduced in the early stages at the entry points along the IB by Border security force. 

• Mooring Place Project: The Home Minister laid the foundation stone for a mooring place at Koteshwar in Kutch. 

• The Mooring Place project, with an allocated budget of ?257 crore, will make a huge difference by allowing berthing, repairs and maintenance for bigger vessels, including the floating BOPs, thus bolstering the Border Security Force capabilities in the Creek area.

• Link Road and Tower: He also inaugurated the newly constructed Chidiyamod-Biarbet Link Road and OP Tower in the Harami Nala area. 

• He had inaugurated a 9.5 meter tall observation post tower equipped with high resolution pan-tilt-zoom cameras, to bolster intelligence-gathering capabilities.

Conclusion

• To enhance security at Harami Nala, Border security Force should continue improving infrastructure, deploy modern equipment, and cooperate with Pakistan for better cross-border management.