The Union Home Minister, P. Chidambaram has stated that the border fencing programme is being implemented at a fast pace. In the month of March, on the India-Bangladesh border, about 15 kms of fencing and 12 kms of roadworks were completed. Poles for floodlighting were erected over a distance of 30 km and cables laid on 18-km stretch.

Coastal Security: Against the target of 204 boats, 189 boats have been supplied so far. Remaining 15 boats are ready for delivery and will be dispatched shortly. Thus all 204 boats have been procured, he has informed.

Construction of Integrated Check Posts (ICPs): The Minister also mentioned that construction of ICPs at Attari, Raxaul and Jogbani had commenced and were expected to be completed in June 2011 for ICP Attari and in November 2011 for ICPs Raxaul and Jogbani.

Prisoners released: He stated that eight Pakistani prisoners and 20 Pakistani fishermen were repatriated to Pakistan on completion of their sentences.

With regard to on-line visa application system, under the mission mode project on IVFRT (immigration visa foreigners registration and tracking), with appointment scheduling, was introduced in Colombo, Kandy and Hambantota under the High Commission of India, Sri Lanka, he has informed.