LUCKNOW, March 6 -- The Uttar Pradesh government has sanctioned Rs.34.50 crore for construction of residential infrastructure linked to a new Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) battalion being established in Shamli district-a communally sensitive region of western Uttar Pradesh. Senior officials in the state home department said on Thursday that a government order had been issued to facilitate ongoing construction work. The sanctioned fund is part of the state government's effort to strengthen armed police infrastructure and ensure a faster response to law and order situations in the region. "The PAC battalion coming up in Shamli will significantly improve the state's capacity to respond swiftly to security challenges in western Uttar Pradesh," a senior home department official said. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath has previously highlighted the PAC's role in maintaining peace across the state, stating that the force has been crucial in handling law and order situations and supporting civil police during major security operations and public events. According to the order, the total estimated cost of the project is Rs.197.42 crore. Contracts worth about Rs.181.80 crore have already been awarded, while construction work worth nearly Rs.138.20 crore has been completed so far. The newly approved amount of Rs.34,50,94,000 will be used for building residential facilities and other essential infrastructure for battalion personnel. Senior police officials said the decision to locate a PAC battalion in Shamli is driven by the district's strategic and security significance. "Shamli lies in a sensitive belt of western Uttar Pradesh and its location allows rapid deployment of forces across several adjoining districts," a senior police officer said. Shamli, along with neighbouring Muzaffarnagar, witnessed communal violence during the 2013 riots and has since been considered sensitive. The district also holds strategic importance as part of the National Capital Region (NCR). Located at the intersection of National Highways 709A, 709B and 709AD, Shamli lies around 100 km from Delhi and is close to Muzaffarnagar, Baghpat, Meerut and Saharanpur, making it a key point for movement and deployment of security forces. According to information available on the Uttar Pradesh Police website, the PAC currently has 33 battalions across the state, organised into three operational zones -10 in the eastern zone, 9 in the central zone and 14 in the western zone....