Indian Army to step up road-building along Chinese border
14 Oct 2017
The Indian Army on Friday stated that there would be a concerted move towards road construction in the central sector of the border with China.
An Army statement said, "Indian Army has decided that there would be a concerted heft towards road construction activities in central sector of the borders with China. Niti, Lipulekh, Thangla 1 and Tsangchokla passes along Indo-China border decided to be connected by road on priority by 2020".
"It has also been decided to allot additional funds to Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for Northern Command for development of roads and infrastructure. To modernise military stations at par with smart city plan, 15 per cent additional funds will be allotted for five years to revamp external services," the statement added.
Earlier in the month, it was reported that China's People's Liberation Army had started constructing a road about 10 to 12 km from the site where the two armies were locked in a face-off (See: China resumes road building near Doklam, but away from standoff site) .
On 28 August, the two countries had agreed to pull back troops to end the months-long Dokalam face-off. Troops of the two countries had been locked in a standoff in Dokalam since June 16, after Indian troops stopped the Chinese army from building a road in the disputed area.
(Also see: Bhutan discusses Doklam situation with China in Delhi)