Govt to expedite works along China border

Government has decided to expedite road infrastructure works along the border areas with China, revising its old military doctrine in view of the changing geopolitical scenario. "Earlier the military doctrine was to not have roads close to borders but the same has been revised due to changing geopolitical scenario and the government has taken a conscious decision to expedite road infrastructure construction in border areas," defence minister A.K. Antony said. The minister said the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has been asked to concentrate on construction of strategic roads along the borders with China.

"There are plans for 73 roads on Indo-China border out of which BRO has been entrusted with 61 roads of total length of 3394 km in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh," he said.

Of the 61 roads, 14 roads have been completed and work is under progress with regard to 42 roads while construction activities of five roads are yet to commence. "Forty-one roads are planned for completion by 2013 and remaining six beyond 2013," he said.

Commenting on the roads along the Pakistan border, the minister said BRO is entrusted with development of 10,646 km of roads there. "Out of the total length, 7344 km have been completed and the balance length is planned for completion by 2012 for priority I roads and 2022 for priority II roads," he added.

The minister said the lack of adequate efforts for mobilisation of resources, delay in forest clearances, unwillingness of contractors to work in remote and difficult terrains are the major factors affecting infrastructure improvement in border areas.