New Delhi: The threat from China looms large on India in the wake of improved roads and a proposed railway line through the disputed region of Aksai Chin. In a few weeks from now, China's ability to transport troops and equipment from bases in its North West and East to the Indian border would have improved dramatically, thanks to repairs and upgrades to key highways including the one running through Aksai Chin.
Indian Army sources say repairs and upgrades to the Western Highway running 1,900 km from Urmuqi in Xinjiang (an autonomous region located in the northwest of China) to Lhasa in Tibet also include the portion which cuts through Aksai Chin.
The repairs to the highway will enable faster movement of forces in case of a confrontation with India in Aksai Chin.
Even more serious a threat is the railway line that China plans to start work on by 2017. This line will cut through Aksai Chin will run parallel to the Western Highway.
Sources say the combination of an improved all-weather highway, further strengthened by the presence of a railway line, will dramatically boost China's ability to transport vast number of troops and equipment to the Indian border. Add to that the 2,000 km Central Highway from Golmud to Lhasa and the 2,200 km Eastern Highway from Kunming to Lhasa, that have also been improved and both of which run along the border with India.
The Indian Army has responded by moving observation units and patrols closer to the Line of Actual Control. A major build up of forces is underway in Ladakh.
However, because of the lack of all-weather roads, the Chinese, it is widely acknowledged, have the advantage over India.
China spruces up highway to Aksai, India moves troops - India News - IBNLive
