27 out of 73 "strategic" China border roads are incomplete
In a grim reality check for India, only 27 out of 73 "strategic" roads meant to be constructed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China have been completed. This accounts for 963-km out of the 4,643-km of roads approved for construction over 15 years ago. The lack of border infrastructure would hamper the swift deployment of troops and weapons along the LAC.
No progress on long-proposed 14 "strategic railway lines"
The 73 "strategic" roads were to be completed by 2012. The long-proposed construction of 14 "strategic railway lines" in the region, also remains on the drawing board. The Indian Air Force has managed to reactivate advanced landing grounds in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh. The Indian government has granted the Border Roads Organization (BRO) greater administrative and financial powers to speed up infrastructure development.
India unveils new measures to fast-track border roads development
As per new government rules, chief engineers in the BRO can provide administrative approval of up to Rs. 50 crore, additional director-general (ADGBR) up to Rs. 75 crore and the DGBR up to Rs. 100 crore to projects. The chief engineer can accept contract bidding up to Rs. 100 crore while ADGBR up to Rs. 300 crore. This would reduce bureaucratic red tape.
China has put robust border infrastructure in place
Unlike India, China has constructed a wide network of "railway lines, highways, metal-top roads, air bases, radars, logistics hubs and other infrastructure in the Tibet Autonomous Region," the Times of India has reported. The Chinese infrastructure would sustain over 30 divisions (having 15,000 troops each) and five to six "rapid reaction forces." China would require 9:1 troop ratio to succeed against India.
BRO being equipped with more advanced machinery
The chief engineer, ADGBR and DGBR can outsource consultancy services from up to Rs. 2-5 crores. The government believes the pace of road construction will increase since the BRO is being revamped now that it's part of the defence ministry, not transport. The BRO is also being equipped with more manpower and advanced machinery, and it's receiving land acquisition and environment clearances faster.
