In a counter to China’s designs on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) amdist the ongoing tensions since 2020, the Narendra Modi government has rolled out plans to build four key border roads in Arunachal Pradesh totalling nearly 300 km, and sought Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) on them.
News18 has accessed documents in this regard showing the plans of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to build these four roads in strategic areas where no roads exist at present. This could make the movement of troops and military equipment quicker to the LAC as well as to the forward ITBP and Army troops in the border areas.
According to the details with News18, a new 72 km-long road is being planned from Tuting to Muirbe and onward to Bame, close to the LAC. Another 58 km-long road is being planned from Tapa to Hush onwards to Dille in border areas of Arunachal, a 107 km-long road is planned from Hayuliang to Kundao, and another road from Kibithu to Kundao of 52 km. BRO has sought feasibility reports of all these four roads.
Top government sources told News18 that these roads were strategic projects in different districts of Arunachal Pradesh and will have both socio-economic and strategic impact. The border area movement will be swift and the roads will connect places, which are still not connected even after so many years. The roads could also lead to tourism once these roads are made part of the Arunachal Frontier highway, a source said. There are no roads connecting the above-mentioned stretches at present. “Any road running parallel to the LAC will not only put our adversaries on the back-foot as our reaction pan-Arunachal will be swift,” a source told News18.
These projects will give a massive boost to forces deployed in the region in terms of saving travelling time and reaching to the border area in less time. According to an ITBP official, the area has no road, and almost three years ago, a foot track was built from Kibithu to Kundao but that used to take time to travel. Kibithu is very close to the Chinese border and there is no proper road to travel on the same route. No heavy vehicles can travel in the close by areas also.
Similarly, from Tuting-Muirbe-Bame Road area, the road will reduce 60-70% travel time, which is now tough, and at night it is impossible to travel. Tuting is close to the China border and this road will connect the area to the mainland. Also, Hayulang-Glothang La Du Dakhru-Kundao forces will save at least one hour.
China has been constantly provoking India about Arunachal Pradesh and had objected to India holding a G20 meeting in Itanagar recently. China had also last month issued a distorted map of its territory, showing Arunachal Pradesh state as part of China. India had strongly protested at China’s actions on both counts and reiterated that Arunachal Pradesh remained an integral part of India. The Ministry of External Affairs in a statement then said such moves only “complicate the resolution of the boundary question” and termed China’s moves as baseless and absurd.
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