ugc_banner

WATCH Exclusive: After Doklam standoff, India begins road construction near LAC

WION Web Team
New Delhi, IndiaUpdated: Sep 08, 2017, 07:27 AM IST
main img
After standoff with China, Indian government speeds up road construction in Sikkim. This move was made after Defence Ministry gave more financial powers to the Border Roads Organisation. Photograph:(WION)

After the standoff with China over Doklam, the Indian government is now speeding up the project of road construction in Sikkim. The construction has begun near the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Experts claim that a construction is trickier than it seems because the Himalayan range on the Indian side is more prone to landslides. Few also believe that this construction is India's attempt to construct a defensive wall on the India-China border.

Concerned about the delays in construction of the strategic road along the India-China border, India's defense ministry recently delegated more administrative and financial powers to the Border Road Organisation for a speedy completion of the projects along the border with China. 

Shakti Chaudhary, mayor of Gangtok told WION that roads are necessary so that the military can immediately access the border in times of crisis.

"China's infrastructure is very strong but our government is also putting in efforts. The area is prone to landslides but we need to make new routes nevertheless. The connectivity has to be such that one can access the border post as quickly as possible," Shakti Chaudhary said.

"If anything goes wrong, the soldiers should be able to reach the border instantly," the mayor added.

The Mansarovar yatra, a pilgrimage, that happens via Nathu La pass in Sikkim was cancelled this year because of the standoff.