By Kartik Lokhande
The recent visits of Defence
Minister Mr Manohar Parrikar and Minister of State for Defence Mr Rao Inderjit
Singh, to far-flung areas along the border with China (Tibet) bear significance
for one simple reason – they went there to get feedback from ground level and also
to see for themselves how are we faring in terms of border infrastructure.
For the past few years, of
course, the infrastructure on Indian side along the Line of Actual Control
(border with China) has started improving. For several years before that the development
of border infrastructure did not see any concerted efforts. The simple reason
was that the Congress-led Governments at the Centre for subsequent terms were a
bit ‘scary’ about developing border infrastructure, since the 1962 war with
China. The leaderships of the subsequent Governments were afraid that concerted
efforts to build up good infrastructure along the Line of Actual Control (LAC)
will invite a strong reaction from China. However, in the past few years, a new
beginning was made.
As a result of the lack of determined
efforts towards development of infrastructure like roads, railways, air
connectivity, etc, not only the military personnel but also the civilians in
remote areas of especially the states of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh suffered
for long. Road travel to eastern parts of Arunachal Pradesh reveals that the
condition of roads is still very bad. Of course, there are challenges to be
met. For instance, though the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has been
constructing roads, it has been facing the biggest challenge of the rugged
terrain. Often, civilians visiting these areas and military personnel going to
and fro their forward bases get stuck up mid-way due to landslides. Though the
personnel of General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) are always there to clear
the road, they too face daunting task in operating when there is heavy
rainfall.
There are several stretches marked
by small streams and rivulets coming down from mountain tops, and loosening the
soil that leads to landslides. Also, there are stretches in which even the
bridges are washed away. This engages the BRO in construction activities throughout,
without any relief to military personnel or civilians as pucca roads still
remain a distant dream in mountainous terrains.
As far as railway connectivity is
concerned, no such infrastructure has been developed in remote areas of Sikkim
and Arunachal Pradesh. In fact, there was no railway infrastructure till
recently. Now, Arunachal Pradesh has got railway connectivity till Naharlagun (Itanagar)
and plans are afoot to extend it to other areas till Pasighat, Tezu etc. However,
from there onwards, up to areas like Walong, Vijoynagar, Anini, the journey is
very very difficult, again due to mountainous terrain, landslides, rivers in
spate etc. Anini and Vijoynagar do not even have proper road connectivity, and
those are to be air-maintained frequently.
Against this backdrop, air
connectivity remains the only best feasible and long-term option. During the
British Raj, in the time of World War-II, several air-strips were constructed
in remotest areas of Arunachal Pradesh. At present, most are not under
operations and some are under military operations only. This has left the civilian
population in many of the border areas, virtually cut off from the other
developed parts of the country. Though the Indian Army, and the Indian Air
Force comes to the rescue of civilians during floods or other calamities, there
is no regular air connectivity available to civilians except for Pawanhans
helicopter service in select parts. Even if a tourist wants to visit the areas blessed
with scenic beauty, air connectivity to the point is not available. As a
result, even the tourist potential of Arunachal Pradesh could not be explored
fully till this date. And, this has also deprived the local populace from the benefits
of increased tourist/civilian activity.
The next big issue in these areas
is development of communications infrastructure. One loses connectivity to any
of the communications networks after a few kilometers beyond Dibrugarh. It is
available only in stretches where Signal Detachments of the Indian Army are
stationed. But, that is all. As one proceeds towards the Line of Actual
Control, mobile phones start catching signals of Chinese mobile networks. Of
course, using these networks is not advisable, and is banned too. However, this
shows the level of preparations and creation of border infrastructure in the
territory held by the Chinese.
It is really good that India has taken
up the task of giving a boost to the border infrastructure in terms of road,
rail, air, communications connectivity. However, it will require more
determination, more budget, deadline-oriented but quality-centric approach to
get desired outcomes. The ministers have made statements that border
infrastructure projects taken up currently, will be completed by the year 2018
or 2019. If it happens in the duration stated, India will have made a
significant move towards securing the border in an effective manner.
For, impressive border
infrastructure development boosts confidence of any country. Also, it adds to
the negotiating power of that country.
(18-05-15)
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