China border: Army brass prioritises infrastructure

This is significant as the central sector has been the most peaceful sector between India and China. Unlike the western sector (Ladakh) and eastern sector (Arunachal Pradesh), it is the only sector for which the two sides have exchanged maps delineating their respective perceptions of the LAC.

Following the Doklam standoff between India and China, the Army has decided to enhance infrastructure along the India-China border, particularly in Uttarakhand. The decision was taken at the Army’s commanders’ conference in New Delhi this week, Director General, Staff Duties, Lt General Vijay Singh said.

“The issues that were highlighted during the conference related to infrastructure and capability development along the borders,” Lt General Singh said. He said the Army commanders had decided that there would be considerable “heft” towards road construction in the northern sector. He said the commanders also examined organisational changes to some of the formations to enhance existing capability. It has also been decided to allot additional funds to the Border Roads Organisation for development of roads and infrastructure, he added.

About improving infrastructure in the central sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Lt General Singh said, “To that end, four passes — Niti, Lipu lekh, Thang La 1, and Tsangchokla — will be connected by 2020 on priority.”

This is significant as the central sector has been the most peaceful sector between India and China. Unlike the western sector (Ladakh) and eastern sector (Arunachal Pradesh), it is the only sector for which the two sides have exchanged maps delineating their respective perceptions of the LAC.

Lt Gen Singh said that a roadmap for intra-sector connectivity within the central sector and inter-sector connectivity with neighbouring areas was also discussed at the conference.