Ladakh: To overcome the threat of China, the construction of a new highway for a distance of 135 km has been started on the Ladakh border.
In the early days, food and weapons were carried by donkeys to the soldiers encamped on the Ladakh border. At that time there was no road facility to go to the border area. In the 1980s it took 12 to 15 days to reach the border area. Now the situation has completely changed.
3,488 km from Karakoram in Ladakh to Jasapla in Arunachal Pradesh in the last 5 years alone. 2,088 km in border areas at a cost of Rs.15,477 crore. New roads have been constructed far and wide. Especially in the Ladakh region, where the Chinese army often tries to encroach, the road infrastructure has been improved manifold.
On June 15, 2020, a massive clash took place between Indian and Chinese soldiers in the Kalwan Valley of Ladakh. After this, road infrastructure works were accelerated along the Ladakh border.
A new bridge was opened in Kalwan Valley in 2021. Now we can reach Ladakh border region in 24 hours.
Along with this, 37 new helipads are being set up on the Ladakh border. Steps are being taken to set up 4 new airports.
In this context, a new highway is to be constructed for a distance of 135 km from Demsak region of Ladakh to Pankong Lake in Susol region. The Border Roads Authority recently sought a contract for this. The contract has been finalized and road construction has started.
Connection with Pankong Lake
Sources of the border road system said about this. Demsak is the last inhabited village on the Ladakh border. It is 19,000 feet above sea level. After this village there is no human habitation till the boundary line. The road infrastructure in this border area is not satisfactory.
Considering this, it is 135 km from Demsak to Susol in South East Ladakh. A new highway is being constructed in the distance. This road will connect the southern part of Pankong Lake. One half of the lake belongs to India and the other half to China.
Frequent attempts by the Chinese Army to encroach on Pankong Lake and the border area adjacent to it are routine and Indian soldiers repulse them. The Chinese military is strengthening infrastructure along its border areas. Indian regions are developing infrastructure twice as much as the rest of the country.
Currently, the 135 km stretch between Demsak and Susol is being constructed at a cost of Rs.400 crore. The highway will be constructed along the river Indus. It will pass through Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary.
We have set a target to complete the road work in a very short period of time. According to this, the new highway will be operational in the next 2 years. After this, Indian soldiers can easily reach Pankong lake area. Sources of Border Roads said this.
