Ahmedabad: Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Thursday commenced a two-day visit to villages along the India-Pakistan border, aimed at reviewing regional conditions, assessing security, and establishing direct engagement with local communities. This visit marks Sanghavi’s first major tour of the border areas since being elevated to the Deputy Chief Minister post last month. He also holds the Home portfolio, among other departments, giving him oversight of law enforcement and border management initiatives.

A distinctive feature of the tour is Sanghavi’s decision to stay overnight in a traditional village hut rather than conventional accommodations such as circuit houses or hotels. This approach is intended to allow him and senior officers accompanying him to experience rural life directly, gain a deeper understanding of local culture and customs, and develop a clearer perspective on ground-level challenges faced by villagers. “Understanding the daily lives of the people here will enable more informed policy decisions and effective administrative action,” an official release noted.

The two-day itinerary will cover multiple focus areas including healthcare, education, infrastructure, sanitation, and public safety. In addition to evaluating these aspects, the visit has a strong emphasis on security assessment. Sanghavi is scheduled to hold a special meeting with Border Security Force (BSF) officials to review anti-national activities, patrol operations, and other measures critical to maintaining safety along the sensitive border region.

On the first day, Sanghavi offered prayers at the Maa Ashapura temple at Mata No Madh in Lakhpat taluka of Kutch district, which directly borders Pakistan. His visit is structured to balance administrative oversight with cultural engagement, including discussions with local community leaders and village sarpanchs. The Deputy Chief Minister and his team of 30 senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers have each been assigned two villages to conduct focused reviews and facilitate direct dialogue with residents.

The tour also includes interactive sessions at night, enabling open discussions with villagers to understand their immediate concerns and challenges. Special attention is being given to interactions with women and youth, ensuring that the perspectives of all segments of society are taken into account in planning future developmental and security initiatives.

Officials emphasized that the visit aims to strengthen community engagement and improve coordination between local administration and security forces. By combining on-ground assessments, personal interactions, and direct observation of living conditions, Sanghavi intends to gain a comprehensive understanding of the socio-economic and security realities in the border areas.

The two-day tour is expected to culminate with a detailed review and actionable recommendations, which will guide the state government’s future interventions in infrastructure, social welfare, and border security in Kutch and other border districts.