India activated a crucial air-base in Ladakh today barely 20 km from the Chinese border and, more significantly, got the go-ahead for construction of four strategic roads along the border that will radically improve its ability to promptly induct troops and reinforcements.

The four roads in eastern Ladakh are: Lukumg-Phobrang-Chartse Pt 4433 (77.5 km); Chisumle-Demchok (24 km); Koyal-Chisumle-Zarsar (80 km) and the Karzok-Chumar (69 km) link.

These had been planned under the integrated border development plan years ago but clearances from the Environment Ministry had been hanging fire for the past two years. The final approval came today from the three-member special environment bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, within 10 minutes of the hearing, as it accepted long-awaited recommendations of the court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC).

These roads are crucial for the armed forces as they provide links to the border in the Pangong Tso lake area which is notorious for transgressions by Chinese troops as well as to the border post of Demchok on the Line of Actual Control.

What was holding up permissions was that all these roads pass through the Changthang cold desert wildlife sanctuary in Ladakh.

The roads are part of broader plan to improve connectivity along the border and had been identified as a priority area by the China Study Group. While pushing for an early clearance of approvals, the Defence Ministry said that the China study group had recommended “a high operational preparedness” in the region by laying down a communication network of roads to ensure mobilization of troops and resources to the affected areas.

... contd.