India progress in LAC infrastructure development

The Indian Army Chief has recently talked about the Infrastructure development on the Indian side of Line of actual control (LAC), highlighting India’s concern for border security and management against China.

Background:

• After China’s move for building and expanding its reach, connectivity and development projects near LAC, India has also started working in the development direction.
• In the past five years, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has constructed close to 6,000 km of roads pan-India; of this, 2,100 km has been along the northern borders. 
• As for the upgradation of bridges, which are needed to carry guns, and tanks among others, as many as 7,450 metres of bridges were constructed.
• For all-weather connectivity in both Ladakh and Kameng in Arunachal, there is the Zojila tunnel and the Z-Morh tunnel, which will link the valley to Ladakh and will be operationalised by the end of the year.
• There is also a plan for alternate connectivity to the all-important Darbuk-Skyok-Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) road through Saser la, so not only plan for all-weather connectivity but also alternate connectivity.

India’s Overland Connectivity near the LAC:

• In Arunachal Pradesh:
  • China claims 90,000 square kilometres in India’s frontier region of the northeast, roughly including the whole of Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Among the projects currently being executed by the Indian government in the Border States is the construction of 73 roads of operational significance for better access to the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
  • The government has informed Parliament that 2,094 kilometres of roads were constructed along the border at a cost of around $1.8 billion over the past five years.
• In Leh and Ladakh:
  • Atal Tunnel at 10,000 feet in Rohtang was inaugurated by Prime Minister, not only shortening travel time between Manali in Himachal Pradesh and Leh, Ladakh but giving 12-month connectivity to people of Lahaul and Spiti in the hill state.
  • Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has proposed eight tunnels that will enhance connectivity to Ladakh; a couple of similar projects are also planned for Kashmir linking roads to the Line of Control.
• In Sikkim:
  • BRO’s Project Swastik has constructed Samdong Bridge on Lachen- Kalep Road in Sikkim, also in the Eastern Sector of the LAC.
  • A 30 m-long PSC box girder bridge will provide vital connectivity to our troops and locals alike.
  • The bridge will be dedicated to the Nation along with other 27 infrastructure projects by the Raksha Mantri on 27 Dec 2022.