New Delhi, September 07, 2005, Jay Raina (Hindustan Times)

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh cleared a slew of proposals on Tuesday. India will acquire three Boeing 737-700 Business Executive Jets equipped with missile deflecting security suits for VVIP use. To be delivered by 2009, the new Boeings are expected to cost around Rs 1000 crore.

Briefing the media after CCS meeting, defence minister Pranab Mukherjee said the new jets will replace the two old Boeing 737-200 planes purchased in 1983 for VVIP travel.

"The Rs 1000-cost component includes missile deflecting security suits worth 44.6 million US dollars (Rs 200 crore) apart from the cost of the planes estimated to be around 169.90 million US dollars (about Rs 800 crore)," he said.

The decision follows India's acquisition of three of five Embraer Legacy Jets cleared for purchase by the previous NDA regime. Once the remaining two Legacy Jets are delivered, the planes will be used exclusively for VVIP travel under the command of Communications Squadrons of the Air Force. One of these planes will be operated by the aviation unit of BSF under the home ministry.

The CCS also cleared the construction of an all weather-road to Leh from Manali. The 292-km road via Darchu, Padam and Nimu to Leh will be completed in nine years at an estimated cost of Rs 1,355 crore.

Other items cleared by CCS pertains to creation of additional territorial army battalions. The CCS approved reconstitution of the categories into two broad groups, one comprising J & K, North-Eastern States barring Sikim, to be funded with cent per cent aid and the remaining states to be funded at 75 per cent with the States chipping in with the remaining 25 per cent.