Government is implementing the Border Area Development Programme in border areas of 17 states. In a written reply in Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Home, Nityanand Rai said Border Area Development Programme is a major intervention for filling critical gaps in the provision of essential social and economic infrastructure in the border areas to ensure equitable development in these areas. He said the works and projects undertaken by the BADP relate to the construction of roads, bridges, safe drinking water supply, health, and agriculture. <br />'' <br />'' The Minister said these activities help in providing additional job opportunities, improving quality of life and standard of living in the border areas. He informed that during the financial years 2015-16 to 2018-19, construction of 1935 kilometres of roads, 520 sports fields, 11 residential schools, 37 tourism-related projects, 34 warehouses and 52 livelihood and organic farming programmes were undertaken for improving the economic status of the border population.<br />