India-China Border Roads

India-China Border Roads (ICBR) project is a Government of India project which aims to develop the infrastructure along the Sino-Indian border by constructing "strategic roads". The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) handles the bulk of the road construction.[1] It has a strength of 32,000, out of which 67% are assigned to ICBR roads.[1] Starting in 1999, out of 73 ICBRs, less than 50% had been completed by the BRO by 2018. However, since 2018, with additional funds the speed of construction has increased. Some of the projects include the Darbuk-Shayok-Daulat Beg Oldie (DS-DBO) road and Rohtang tunnel in the Ladakh; and in the northeast the Sela Tunnel and a tunnel under the Brahmaputra river with Indian Railways.[2]

Background

The Standing Committee on Defence, a body for legislative oversight, appraised strategic road connectivity in 2018. With regard to the slow pace of construction of border roads, the Border Roads Organisation stated to the committee:[3]

It would not be incorrect to say that two years back the philosophy of our nation was that we should not make roads as near to the border as possible. That philosophy is telling today very clearly as to why we do not have roads. It is only two or three years back that we suddenly decided a change of philosophy and said no, we must go as far forward as possible. It is going to take time. Unfortunately, the time cannot be compressed. Whatever we can do, it will take time.

— BRO, 15th Report, Standing Committee on Defence (2018-19)

Ministry of Defence submitted a total operational requirement of 852 roads of length 30118 km to the BRO. Out of this, border roads have been classified under the Long Term Roll on Works Plan (LTRoWP); that is 530 roads spanning 22803 km including 73 ICBRs. The work structure for the ICBRs is divided among different agencies. Out of the 73 ICBRs, BRO was responsible for 61 roads while the remaining to other departments such as the National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC), Central Public Works Department (CPWD), National Projects Construction Corporation (NPCC) and state public works departments.[3] ICBRs are present in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. Arunachal Pradesh has the most proposed ICBRs numbering 27.[3]

Phases

Phase 1 or ICBR-1 project started in 1999[4] with the aim of completing 73 "strategic roads", of approximately 4000 km in length, by 2012.[1] However various delays caused only 22 roads to be complete by March 2016. ICBR-1 was given additional funds in 2018 to complete the road by December 2020.[5] These roads are assigned to various government bodies according to their location - Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Central Public Works Department (CPWD), National Projects Construction Corporation (NPCC), Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department.[5] Funds were also diverted from "General Staff (GS) roads"[lower-alpha 1] to ICBRs.[4]

Phase 2 aims to construct 32 roads along the border.[6] In June 2020, amid the India-China skirmishes, the government asked all bodies to speed up the construction of the roads.[6] Additional labour was also sent to these areas to assist in speeding up construction.[6]

List of ICBRs

Incomplete list of ICBRs as follows:[3]

Sr No Name of Road State Length Bridges Completed Cite
1 Orang- Kalaktang –Shergaon- Roopa- Tenga Assam/ Arunachal Pradesh 158 Kalaktang, Gajni, Shikari, Sher, Balemu, Bomnag, Haflong [7]
2 Jang-Ramasapper Arunachal Pradesh 64 - [8]
3 Shughatsar –Kharsangla Arunachal Pradesh 16 - [9]
4 Ghastoli- Rattakona Uttarakhand 18 - [10]
5 Nelong-Naga Uttarakhand 8.10 - Yes [11]
6 Naga-Sonam Uttarakhand 11.65 Jadganga River bridge Yes [12][11]
7 Naga-Jadhang Uttarakhand 5.5 - Yes
8 Sumna-Rimkhim Uttarakhand 14 - [13]
9 LGG-Mukto-Teli Arunachal Pradesh 53 -
10 TCC-Taksing Arunachal Pradesh 54 - [14]
11 TCC-Maza Arunachal Pradesh 47.38 - [15]
12 Yarlung-Lamang Arunachal Pradesh 18.58 - [16]
13 Tr Jn-Bheem Base-Dokala Sikkim 19.72 - [17][18]
14 Tato-Manigong-Tadagade Arunachal Pradesh 89.70 -
15 Joshimath-Malari Uttarakhand 62.67 Dhak, Tamak, Suraithota, Subaigadhera [19][13]
16 Malari-Girthidobla Uttarakhand - [13]
17 Girthidobla-Sumna Uttarakhand - [13]
18 Sumna-Rimkhim Uttarakhand - [13]
19 Musapani-Ghastoli Uttarakhand 9.52 -
20 Nacho-TCC Arunachal Pradesh 78.45 - [20]
21 LGG-Mukto-Teli Arunachal Pradesh 53 - [21]
22 Leh-Upsi-Sarchu Ladakh 249.62 -
23 Tawaghat-Ghatiabagarh Uttarakhand 19.51 - [22]
24 Bona -Gelling Arunachal Pradesh -
25 Harong - Chushul Ladakh -
26 Sasoma - Saserla Ladakh -
27 D-S-DBO Ladakh Shyok Gang-I, Shyok Gang-II, Shyok Gang-II, Shyok-II
28 Koyal – Photile – Chusmule - Zurasar Ladakh - [23]
29 Nemo-Padum-Darcha Himachal Pradesh/Ladakh - [24]
30 Ghatiabagarh-Lipulekh Uttarakhand 80 - [25]
31 BJG-LGG Arunachal Pradesh 45 Tawangchu-II/ Tawangchu-III [26]
32 Balipara-Charduar-Tawang Arunachal Pradesh 334 - [27]
33 Gangtok- Chunghang Sikkim -
34 Khinzimane-Jimmithang Arunachal Pradesh - [9][28]
35 Masmikla-Hot Springs Ladakh - [23]
36 Phobrang-Masmikla Ladakh - [23]

Notes
  1. "GS roads ensure inter-valley and inter-sector movement along the LAC"

References
  1. Singh, Rahul (2019-02-13). "Speed up road construction along China border: Parliamentary panel asks BRO". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2020-06-18.
  2. "Amid Ladakh standoff with China, India puts border roads in fast lane". Deccan Chronicle. 2020-06-02. Retrieved 2020-06-18.
  3. Standing Committee on Defence (February 2019) Fifteenth Report: Provision of all weather road connectivity under Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and other agencies up to International borders as well as the strategic areas including approach roads- An appraisal. Ministry of Defence, Lok Sabha Secretariat, Government of India. Archived from the original on 19 June 2020.
  4. Gurung, Shaurya Karanbir (2018-04-20). "Shortage of funds delaying strategic roads along China border". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2020-06-18.
  5. Singh, Vijaita (2018-03-03). "Govt. puts delayed road projects on Indo-China border on track". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2020-06-18.
  6. Singh, Jitendra Bahadur (17 June 2020). "India to accelerate construction of roads along Chinese border: Sources". India Today. Retrieved 2020-06-18.
  7. "Kiren Rijiju inaugurates Orang-Kalaktang- Shergaon-Rupa-Tenga Road | Arunachal24". 2016-10-17. Retrieved 2020-06-19.
  8. K P Purushotham (2017) History of Project Vartak. Border Roads Organisation, India. pg 8.
  9. Desk, Sentinel Digital (2019-02-11). "Border Roads Organization To Speed Up Road Work In Arunachal - Sentinelassam". www.sentinelassam.com. Retrieved 2020-06-19.
  10. "Struggling with 73 roads, govt plans 55 more on China border". Deccan Herald. 2016-05-09. Retrieved 2020-06-19.
  11. "BRO constructs two strategically important roads on China border". The Pioneer. 2019-06-07. Retrieved 2020-06-19.
  12. "BRO completes road project, reaching Nelong valley becomes convenient". The Statesman. 2019-06-06. Retrieved 2020-06-19.
  13. "BRO officials asked to speed up pending road projects". Hindustan Times. 2018-02-20. Retrieved 2020-06-19.
  14. ANI (2018-05-17). "BRO creates history through road link to China border". Business Standard India. Retrieved 2020-06-19.
  15. "BRO links remote villages on Indo-China border". Outlook India. Retrieved 2020-06-19.
  16. "Govt to build 27 roads along India-China Border". One India. 2006-12-13. Retrieved 2020-06-19.
  17. Som, Vishnu (3 October 2019). "How 7-Hour Journey On Mule Track To Doklam Now Takes Army Only 40 Minutes". NDTV. Retrieved 2020-06-19.
  18. "Doklam: one motorable road complete, second to be constructed by March 2021". The Economic Times. 2019-10-03. Retrieved 2020-06-19.
  19. "Joshimath-Malari highway inaugurated". www.projectstoday.com. 26 December 2019. Retrieved 2020-06-19.
  20. "BRO toeing Army targets on Indo-China border roads: ADG". Arunachal Observer. 2018-05-20. Retrieved 2020-06-19.
  21. Das, Pranab Kumar (10 February 2018). "BRO links Mukto-Teli". Telegraph India. Retrieved 2020-06-19.
  22. "Nepal Objects Road Passing Through Lipulekh Pass, India Reacts". Outlook India. 10 May 2020. Retrieved 2020-06-19.
  23. Gurung, Shaurya Karanbir (2020-06-13). "3,500 Jharkhand workers to be hired for Ladakh road projects". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2020-06-19.
  24. Sharma, Suresh (11 September 2019). "Zanskar celebrates as new 'road' brings it 600km closer to Himachal Pradesh | Shimla News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2020-06-19.
  25. Nandi, Shreya (2020-05-08). "BRO opens new 80-km road for Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims". Livemint. Retrieved 2020-06-19.
  26. Ministry of Environment & Forests (10 March 2011). AGENDA FOR THE FOREST ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING CONVENED. Government of India
  27. Desk, Sentinel Digital (2018-08-29). "Balipara-Charduar-Tawang Road to be completed by 2021 - Sentinelassam". www.sentinelassam.com. Retrieved 2020-06-19.
  28. "Work on border roads intensified: BRO DG | The Arunachal Times". The Arunachal Times. 10 February 2019. Retrieved 2020-06-19.
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