Siachen to Shyok: Green nods for defence projects on borders
Significant first round of green nods for key defence projects off Siachen, Eastern Ladakh and the North East -- across India's borders with China and Pakistan -- have recently come from Ladakh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh wildlife authorities. They now await Central approval.
These aim at bolstering defence presence off the Siachen glacier besides significantly ramping up air-defence in Ladakh and on critical border links, ET has learnt.
The Ladakh State Board of Wildlife (SBWL), at an April 24 meeting, has given its approval for setting up of new missile units in the border region besides a forward aviation base off Shyok and ammunition storage facilities at key border locations to enable quicker mobilisation during active operations, ET has learnt. Authorities in Ladakh are learnt to have cleared the decks to facilitate reconnaissance and observation (R&O) flights and holding of helicopters for flying operations to the Siachen Glacier. The final nods for these projects are expected to come through over the next few weeks once the Union environment ministry's expert panels on wildlife and forest clearances grant full approvals. The green nod for the ramp-up off Siachen is significant as it remains the world's highest battlefield and oversees the strategic China and Pakistan road axis.
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Siachen apart, Eastern Ladakh remains a vital focus amid the continued build-up of infrastructure on the Chinese side. Improved connectivity around Daulat Beg Oldie, India's northernmost military base off Karakoram Pass, has been a consistent focus area. Linkages to BPM huts -- designated sites related to Border Personnel Meetings -- at DBO and Chushul to keep communication channels open between India and China on the LAC have been approved at a meeting last month by authorities at Ladakh.
Similarly, road linkages, border outposts and infrastructure improvement at strategically significant border villages in Ladakh have been approved, besides housing areas for troops and personnel. Several operational tracks to critical border posts have also been approved in the North East -- from Sikkim to Arunachal Pradesh.
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Some of these are currently only reachable by foot and over several days. The Arunachal Pradesh State Board of Wildlife (SBWL) on March 25 approved road linkages from Malinye to Kapuda and Phuphu. Construction of a new operational track from Bheem Base to Bheem Top in Doka La Sector, at the edge of the disputed Doklam plateau, is also under discussion with the Sikkim SBWL seeking more details at its April 23 meeting. Sikkim SBWL, however, has cleared the decks for air defence installations at the Doka La and Bheem base-crucial given significant the ramp-up on the Chinese side. The strategic Rishi-Rongli-Kupup road has also got a go-ahead.
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