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India To Modernize Road Networks In Border Areas - Defense News
VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI
Published: 7 May 2010 12:05
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NEW DELHI - The Indian government is infusing more funds into expanding and modernizing its network of roads in border areas, a turnaround in government policy toward building military assets in inaccessible regions, said Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony.
Addressing a function of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), the leading group building roads in the difficult terrain of the Himalayas bordering Pakistan and China, Antony said, "Earlier, the thinking was that inaccessibility in far-flung areas would be a deterrent to the enemies." Describing such thoughts as an "incorrect approach," he said the government is now taking a number of measures to upgrade roads, tunnels and airfields in the border areas.
Related Topics
India is building hundreds of kilometers of roads along the border with China and has even decided to upgrade 30 Air Force airfields, including those in the northeast bordering China, said Defence Ministry sources. Some BRO personnel are now being recalled from Afghanistan, where they have been building strategic roads, and deployed along the border with China and Pakistan, the sources said.
The sources added that the Antony's announcement should quicken the slow pace of several road projects.
"There is need to remove hurdles and hindrances at different stages of road construction so that road building can be speeded up," a senior BRO official said. Clearance by the forest department and acquisition of land are some of the hurdles.
A senior Indian Army official said China has built an enviable network of road and rail links along the border while Indian authorities have been slow to react.
The Indian Defence Ministry is now buying weapons and equipment that can be quickly deployed along the border with China, including light tanks.
VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI
Published: 7 May 2010 12:05
Print Print | Print Email
NEW DELHI - The Indian government is infusing more funds into expanding and modernizing its network of roads in border areas, a turnaround in government policy toward building military assets in inaccessible regions, said Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony.
Addressing a function of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), the leading group building roads in the difficult terrain of the Himalayas bordering Pakistan and China, Antony said, "Earlier, the thinking was that inaccessibility in far-flung areas would be a deterrent to the enemies." Describing such thoughts as an "incorrect approach," he said the government is now taking a number of measures to upgrade roads, tunnels and airfields in the border areas.
Related Topics
India is building hundreds of kilometers of roads along the border with China and has even decided to upgrade 30 Air Force airfields, including those in the northeast bordering China, said Defence Ministry sources. Some BRO personnel are now being recalled from Afghanistan, where they have been building strategic roads, and deployed along the border with China and Pakistan, the sources said.
The sources added that the Antony's announcement should quicken the slow pace of several road projects.
"There is need to remove hurdles and hindrances at different stages of road construction so that road building can be speeded up," a senior BRO official said. Clearance by the forest department and acquisition of land are some of the hurdles.
A senior Indian Army official said China has built an enviable network of road and rail links along the border while Indian authorities have been slow to react.
The Indian Defence Ministry is now buying weapons and equipment that can be quickly deployed along the border with China, including light tanks.
