After a review of the manifestation of concentration on the eastern border and the fresh threat perception from China, the Indian Army is looking at the Manali-Leh rail link as a crucial advantage point in the scenario of any combat operation.

The new General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Army Training Command (ARTRAC), Shimla, Lieutenant General A S Lamba, said: “The proposed Manali-Leh rail link can act as a vital alternative route for the Army and combat equipment transit in case of eventuality.” He said besides build-up of troupes on the eastern border, existence of such an alternative route would support the logistic capability of India, since China already had its rail infrastructure in Tibet.

Lamba took over as the GOC-in-C of ARTRAC on Thursday and was given a ceremonial guard of honour at the Annadale ground. The event coincided with 19th Raising Day of ARTRAC.

Lamba explained that earlier there used to be ample time cushion available to predict the warning signals of any threat from China, since a build-up on the east meant an exercise spread over two seasons from their side. “But with heavy infrastructure such as rail and road network coming up on their side, an attack could be a matter of a few hours for them,” he said.

Chief of Army Staff General Deepak Kapoor had earlier endorsed the proposal for an “all-weather rail link from security point of view” during one of his meetings with the chief minister of Himachal Pradesh at Shimla.

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