Indian Army warns Rs 40,000 crore Arunachal border road could be a liability if tensions break out with China

A 1,500km proposed highway along the China border in Arunachal Pradesh has hit a roadblock, with the Army raising fears that its proximity to China could make it a liability in case of a confrontation. 

The objection has irked the state government, and the matter could end up in a tussle between the home and defence ministries. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Act East Policy, pushing for development in the neglected Northeastern states, could be severely affected now the Army is opposing the mega road project, which costs between Rs 30,000 and Rs 40,000 crore and would connect Tawang with Vijoynagar, bordering Myanmar.

While initial construction between Tawang and Dirang is done, the work ahead is yet to begin, sources said. Sources said local leaders from the state will be writing a protest letter to the prime minister. “The matter has been brought to my knowledge and I will call a meeting of officials from home and defence ministry along with state officials to sort out the issues,” said Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Home Affairs, who also represents Arunachal Pradesh. The Army is sticking to the old tactic of not developing border areas to ensure minimal damage and to cut off easy access for the enemy in case of an infiltration. However, this creates hurdles in the home ministry’s plan to develop remote areas and resettle the local population. Sources said that since there is no infrastructure, locals have been pushed as far as 50 km from the border, posing a threat from Chinese forces who could claim it to be their territory in the event of a face-off. The road has also been planned considering the large-scale migration of people from border areas and the need to push them back by creating all basic amenities. “They should be happy that the road is close to the border. It can be a boon for the troops for swift mobilisation,” said an official. Pasang Dorjee, an MLA from Arunachal Pradesh, said the Army is creating hurdles for the road project that will affect development in the area.

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While initial construction between Tawang and Dirang is done, the work ahead is yet to begin, sources said. Sources said local leaders from the state will be writing a protest letter to the prime minister. “The matter has been brought to my knowledge and I will call a meeting of officials from home and defence ministry along with state officials to sort out the issues,” said Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Home Affairs, who also represents Arunachal Pradesh. The Army is sticking to the old tactic of not developing border areas to ensure minimal damage and to cut off easy access for the enemy in case of an infiltration. However, this creates hurdles in the home ministry’s plan to develop remote areas and resettle the local population. Sources “Instead of saying that the road should be closer to the border, like China did, the Army is saying it should not be along the border.” While the lack of infrastructure and roads on the Indian side has been an old grievance for the locals, the situation across the border is completely different. “Chinese forces have top-class roads till their border outposts. The villages and towns are well inhabited and have excellent infrastructure. If not match them, we need to at least achieve 10 per cent of what they have,” said a government official. Earlier Beijing had also registered a protest against the road project as it could complicate the border dispute between India and China. India has been concerned with the development of areas across the border, and with China’s own expanding road network. said that since there is no infrastructure, locals have been pushed as far as 50 km from the border, posing a threat from Chinese forces who could claim it to be their territory in the event of a face-off. The road has also been planned considering the large-scale migration of people from border areas and the need to push them back by creating all basic amenities. “They should be happy that the road is close to the border. It can be a boon for the troops for swift mobilisation,” said an official. Pasang Dorjee, an MLA from Arunachal Pradesh, said the Army is creating hurdles for the road project that will affect development in the area.

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While initial construction between Tawang and Dirang is done, the work ahead is yet to begin, sources said. Sources said local leaders from the state will be writing a protest letter to the prime minister. “The matter has been brought to my knowledge and I will call a meeting of officials from home and defence ministry along with state officials to sort out the issues,” said Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Home Affairs, who also represents Arunachal Pradesh. The Army is sticking to the old tactic of not developing border areas to ensure minimal damage and to cut off easy access for the enemy in case of an infiltration. However, this creates hurdles in the home ministry’s plan to develop remote areas and resettle the local population. Sources said that since there is no infrastructure, locals have been pushed as far as 50 km from the border, posing a threat from Chinese forces who could claim it to be their territory in the event of a face-off. The road has also been planned considering the large-scale migration of people from border areas and the need to push them back by creating all basic amenities. “They should be happy that the road is close to the border. It can be a boon for the troops for swift mobilisation,” said an official. Pasang Dorjee, an MLA from Arunachal Pradesh, said the Army is creating hurdles for the road project that will affect development in the area.

idrw.org . Read more at India No 1 Defence News Website , Kindly don't post our articles on other copycat websites http://idrw.org/indian-army-warns-rs-40000-crore-arunachal-border-road-liability-tensions-break-china/ .