India-China Border Roads

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India China Border Roads
ICBRs, ICB Roads
ICB roads Ladakh.png
ICB Roads in Uttarakhand.png
ICBR Roads in Arunachal Pradesh Phase 1.png
Highlights in red for Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh
Type of projectInfrastructure development
Current statusOngoing (Establishing connectivity and maintenance)
LocationArunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh
Approved1999
Length of roads
Phase 13,323 km (approved in 2005)
Phase 26,700 km (approved in 2020)
Total length10,023 km
Status
Phase 115% complete by 2012,[1] 20% complete by 2015[2] 46% complete and 95% connectivity established by 2021[3]
Phase 2Ongoing
Some stretches of road are in disputed territory

India-China Border Roads (ICBRs, ICB Roads) is a Government of India project for developing infrastructure along the Sino-Indian border by constructing strategic roads, including bridges and tunnels.[1][4][5] The ICBR project is largely in response to Chinese infrastructure development along the borderlands with India.[6][7]

As of May 2021, India is constructing at least 177 roads in two phases of over 10,023 km (6,228 mi) total length along its Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China under the "Border Infrastructure and Management Fund" (BIMF) of Ministry of Home Affairs. This includes 73 roads of 3,323 km (2,065 mi) length under ICBR-I (Phase-I) approved in 2005 and additional 104 roads of more than 6,700 km (4,200 mi) length under ICBR-II (Phase-II) approved in 2020.[8][9][10][11]

India has set up an inter-departmental "Empowered Committee" (EC) headed by the Ministry of Defence to expedite the issue resolution and timely completion of ICBR infrastructure after the delay in forest/wildlife clearance and land acquisition, rugged terrain, limited working season due to winter and rains, scarcity of construction material, etc. resulted in the missed deadlines in the past.[12] Some of the important already completed projects include the Darbuk-Shayok-Daulat Beg Oldie Road (DS-DBO) and Atal Tunnel under Rohtang Pass; and the under-construction important projects include the Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh and a road-cum-rail tunnel under the Brahmaputra river in Assam.[13]

Several entities are responsible for constructing ICBR, including Border Roads Organisation (BRO) which handles the bulk of the ICBR road construction work,[4] National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MoDNER), Central Public Works Department (CPWD), public works departments of respective states and others.[14] At least 67 per cent of the road network assigned to BRO falls under ICBR.[4]

By March 2021, of the 61 ICBR-I roads assigned to BRO, connectivity on 59 roads (3,205 km (1,991 mi)) or 95+ per cent of the total length had been achieved and among these 42 (1,530 km (950 mi)) have been black topped.[15][3]

About[edit]

The winding road below Shingo La in Lahaul, Himachal Pradesh, that connects the region with Zanskar in Ladakh

Strategic infrastructure requirements[edit]

See also: Sino-Indian War and Line of Actual Control

In the wake of heightened road and track construction work undertaken by China along India's northern and eastern frontiers, India constituted a China Study Group (CSG) in 1997, to study the requirement of road communication, along the China border for brisk movement of troops in the event of armed conflict. At the end of the study, the CSG identified a network of 73 roads, called the India-China Border Roads (ICBR), to be developed along the Indo-China border. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in 1999 approved the construction of these roads by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) under the Ministry of Defence. The project was to be completed by 2006 but the deadline was then extended to 2012. 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:[16]

It would not be incorrect to say that few 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 couple of 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, 50th Report, Standing Committee on Defence (2018-19)

Reasons such as climate, geography, land acquisition and natural disasters also accounted for the delays.[17] In 2013 the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government took multiple administrative decisions to speed up construction. The 2017 Doklam standoff further raised the profile of the issue with the Modi government for border infrastructure along the China border.[17] ICBRs are present in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.[16]

Border Infrastructure Management Authority (BIMA)[edit]

In May 2022, Indian govt sources announced establishment of the Border Infrastructure Management Authority (BIMA) which is responsible for the integrated development of the border areas including road, rail, water, power, communications infrastructure, and the Vibrant Village Program for improvement of living conditions of natives in these areas to prevent their out-migration as the border villages are considered strategic assets.[18]

ICBR project phases[edit]

ICBR-I or Phase-1[edit]

Phase-1 or ICBR-1 project was conceived in 1999 with a target completion date of 2012 to construct 73 strategic ICBRs of nearly 4000 km length.[10][4] It was approved in 2005.[10] Of the 73 ICBR in Phase-1, the construction of 61 roads was assigned to BRO and remaining 12 to CPWD.[19] Of the 61 roads assigned to BRO, 12 roads of 1,064.14 km length in Ladakh, 5 roads of 116.99 km length in Himachal Pradesh, 14 roads of 355 km length in Uttarakhand, 3 roads of 61.98 km length in Sikkim, and 27 roads of 1,725.46 km length are in Arunachal Pradesh.[15] ICBR-I is seen as a successor of BRO's Project HIMANK which was initiated in 1985 for the construction of border roads in Ladakh.

As of March 2021, of the 61 ICBR-I roads assigned to BRO, connectivity on 59 roads of 3,205.16 km length have been achieved. Of these 61 roads where connectivity has been achieved, 42 roads of 1,530.38 km have been paved with the black top.[15]

ICBR-II or Phase-2[edit]

ICBR-II was approved in 2020-21 fiscal budget,[9] to construct additional 104 roads of more than 6,700 km length.[8][12] The proposal for the Phase 2 was first conceived in 2013 with the goal of constructing 32 roads along the border,[14] expanded version of which was approved in 2020 with inclusion of additional roads.[14][9] Amid the India-China skirmishes, the government asked all bodies to speed up the construction of the roads.[14] Additional labour was also sent to these areas to assist in speeding up construction.[14]

ICBR-II covers construction of several roads, 18 feet wide foot tracks and border out posts (BoPs) connecting several LAC patrol points (PP) and Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) points. As of 2021, in Arunachal Pradesh under the ICBR-II India is building 57 roads, 32 helipads, 47 BoPs, 12 staging camps for ITBP and many 18 ft tracks.[9]

BIMF funding and progress of construction[edit]

ICBR infrastructure is funded by the “Border Infrastructure and Management Fund" (BIMF) which provides funding for India's border infrastructures along Bangladesh, Pakistan and China borders.[9]

Spending on ICBR tripled between 2016 and 2020, from ₹4,600 crore (US$640 million) to ₹11,800 crore (US$1.7 billion).[20] Annual funding was as follows: INR 11,800 crore in 2020–21, INR 8,050 crore in 2019–20, INR 6,700 crore in 2018–19, INR 5450 crore in 2017–18, between INR 3,300 crore to INR 4,600 crore annually from 2008 to 2016.[19]

Due to significantly increased annual funding, the ICBR construction picked up pace after 2014:

  • Road length construction completed: 4,764 km roads during 2014-20 versus 3,610 km during 2008–14.[19]
  • Mountain formation-cutting completed: 470 km during 2017-20 versus 230 km during 2008–17.[19]
  • Surface-clearing completed: 380 km during 2017-20 versus 170 km roads during 2008–17.[19]
  • Bridges completed: 14,450 metres length during 2014-20 versus 7,270 metres during 2008–14.[19]
  • Road tunnels completed: 6 tunnels during 2014-20 including Atal Tunnel at Rohtang Pass in the Himachal Pradesh versus 1 tunnel during 2008–14.[19]

Funds were also diverted from "General Staff (GS) roads"[lower-alpha 1] to ICBRs.[10]

Types of ICBRs[edit]

Of the 73 ICBR of 3812 km, 61 of 3323.57 km were assigned to BRO, which have been subdivided based on their usage type. China Study Group had identified roads vital for defending the whole LAC at national level. Ministry of Defence had identified sub-national level inter-state and regional roads vital for larger military logistics, which were assigned to CPWD and state PWDs. ITBP which mans the forward staging areas and frontier posts on the LAC had identified strategic roads to connect the individual posts to the main trunk and arterial roads. Other roads include connecting inter state and state level.[21] The work structure for the ICBRs is divided among different agencies including the National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC), Central Public Works Department (CPWD), National Projects Construction Corporation (NPCC) and state public works departments.[16]

List of ICB Roads[edit]

Phase 1[edit]

Phase-I consists of 3812 km roads.[1][16]

Key[edit]

  • Maplink: Interactive map with road.
  • OSM ID: Provides a link to road on OpenStreetMap (OSM) in the form of a relation.
  • Status: Status does not represent current state of the road.
  • Length: Present / planned
  • Comments and citation: Further information about the road including bridges and tunnels.

Arunachal Pradesh[edit]

ICB Roads in Arunachal Pradesh[1]

In Arunachal Pradesh the ICBR project, in coordination with other government programmes, has connected a number of border outposts and frontier areas to the national highway network such as Kharsang La, Taksing, Lamang, Gelling, Kibithu and Dichu.[22] Major road projects in Arunachal Pradesh include the 'Sela Pass project' which consists of the under construction Sela Tunnel.[23][16]

Representative list of ICB roads in Arunachal Pradesh
Route of road
Maplink/OSM ID 		Interactive Map District Length Status Comments Ref
Assam - Arunachal Pradesh
Orang-Kalaktang-Shergaon-Roopa- Tenga (OKSRT)

Template:OSM 		West Kameng 158 km (98 mi) Completed in 2016 It provides alternate access to eastern flank of National Highway 13 NH13-IN.svg which also goes to Tawang. Bridges at Kalaktang, Gajni, Shikari, Sher, Balemu, Bomnag, Haflong. [24]
Arunachal Pradesh
Tato-Manigong-Tadagade

Template:OSM 		Shi Yomi 86 km (53 mi) Partially complete Tato is 47 km southwest of Mechuka, Manigong is 9 km west of Mechuka, Tadagade is 33 km from Manigong. [16]
Bona-Gelling

Template:OSM 		Upper Siang 10 km (6.2 mi) Complete Gelling is last Indian post on LAC. Gelling lies northeast of Bona. This is an extension of the Tuting-Bona-Gelling road. [16]
Tame Chung Chung-Taksing

Template:OSM 		Upper Subansiri 54 km (34 mi) Completed in 2017 The road from Nacho goes to Tame Chung Chung (TCC) at Gelensiniak. From there it diverges towards Taksing and Maja (also spelt Maza), both close to the border.

Work on TCC-Taksing started in 2000 but was completed in 2017.[25] The road TCC-Bidak was completed in 2018.[26][27]

[16]
Tame Chung Chung-Maja

Template:OSM 		48 km (30 mi) Complete till Bidak [16]
Nacho-Tame Chung Chung

Template:OSM 		78 km (48 mi) Partially complete [21]
Jang-Rama Sapper

Template:OSM 		Tawang 90 km (56 mi) Completed in 2016 It provides access to Tawang and forms the northern/upper part of National Highway 13. NH13-IN.svg It was completed in 2016. It is a part of the unfinished Balipara-Charduar-Tawang road.[28] (Jang also spelt as Jung) [29]
Sangestar Tso-Kharsang La

Template:OSM 		16 km (9.9 mi) Complete
Lake Shungtser at Tawang-3.jpg
It lies very close to and southeast of Bum La Pass, north of Tawang, east of Lumpo and it forms the part of Bum La Road. BRO ensure maintenances.[30] Image of Sangestar Tso. 		[31][16]
Zemithang-Khinzemane

Template:OSM 		25 km (16 mi) Complete The upper portion of the road is close to the Namka Chu river. [31][30]
Yarlung-Lamang Shi Yomi N/A N/A Lamang is last Indian outpost near Mechuka. Yarlung post is en-route Lamang. [32][33]

Uttarakhand[edit]

ICB Roads in Uttarakhand

In Uttarakhand, the border most points of Pulam Sumda, Mana Pass, Niti Pass, Lapthal and Rimkhim, and Lipulekh have been connected.[22]

Representative list of ICB roads in Uttarakhand
Route of road
Maplink/OSM ID 		Interactive Map District Length Status Comments Ref
Uttarakhand
Nelong-Naga-Jadhang/Sonam

Template:OSM 		Uttarkashi 30 km (19 mi) Partially complete Nelang-Naga road forks into 2 roads, one each leading to Sonam[34][35] and Jadhang IBTP border outposts (BoPs). Jadganga River bridge is on this route. The fork toward Sonam continues to Pulam Sumda. This is also known as the Nelgang-Pulam Sumda road. [21]
Joshimath-Malari-Girthidobla-Sumna-Rimkhim

Template:OSM 		Chamoli 105 km (65 mi) Partially complete Bara Hoti-Lapthal disputed sector is 100 km from Joshimath. Joshimath-Malari road forks to 2 different ITBP posts at Malari, to Sumna-Rimkhim post in the east and another post to the west. Bridges at Dhak, Tamak, Suraithota, Subaigadhera[36] ITBP has 42 BoPs (border outposts) in Bara Hoti sector and Mana Pass area.[37][38] [39][40]
Mana-Mana Pass

Template:OSM
<mapframe>: Couldn't parse JSON: Syntax error
 48 km (30 mi) Complete
Mana Village, Badrinath, Uttarakhand, India.jpeg
Image of Mana village. Mana Pass is located on the China–India border. 		[41]
Tawaghat-Ghatiabagarh-Lipulekh

Template:OSM 		Pithoragarh 100 km (62 mi) Complete Lipulekh area and the pass, Kalapani territory, Kailash Mansarovar road. [42][43]
Munsiyari-Milam

Template:OSM 		Partially complete Milam is the last village. [41]

Ladakh[edit]

ICB Roads in Ladakh

The forward most localities and border outposts of Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO), Hotspring, Demchok and Zursar have been connected. Roads connectivity has reduced their reliance on air transport.[22]

Representative list of ICB roads in Ladakh
Route of road
Maplink/OSM ID 		Interactive Map District Length Status Comments Ref
Ladakh
Harong-Chushul

Template:OSM 		Leh 65 km (40 mi) Complete Part of the 240 km (150 mi) Spangmik-Tangtse-Harong-Chushul-Tsaga-Loma route on towards Nyoma. [16]
Phobrang-Marsimik La-Hot Springs

Template:OSM 		70 km (43 mi) Complete Route from Lukung near Pangong Tso towards Hot Springs close to the LAC. [21][41]
Darbuk-Shyok-DBO

Template:OSM 		255 km (158 mi) Complete Route is partially along the Shyok River and LAC. Also called the DS-DBO road or the Sub-Sector North Road.
Sasoma-Saser La

Template:OSM 		55 km (34 mi) Partially complete
Sasser Pass, Nubra ca. 1857.jpg
The road will provide alternate connectivity to DBO in addition to existing DS-DBO road. Image of Sasser Pass.
Koyul-Photila-Chisumle-Zurasar

Template:OSM 		120 km (75 mi) Complete Demchok sector. Zurasar is one of the last border posts in the area. [41]
Himachal Pradesh - Ladakh
Leh-Upshi-Sarchu

Template:OSM 		Leh 250 km (160 mi) Complete
Bajaj Chetak.jpg
Part of the 428 km (266 mi) Leh–Manali Highway.
Nimmu–Padum–Darcha Leh, Kargil, Lahaul and Spiti 285 km (177 mi) Partially complete
New Road Zanskar Sumdo Lahaul Oct20 D72 18201.jpg
First all weather road to Ladakh. Third access route to Ladakh.[44][45][46] Image represents a section below Zanskar Sumdo in Lahaul.

Sikkim[edit]

Route of road Interactive Map District Length Status Comments Ref
Sikkim
Gangtok- Chunghang Northeast Sikkim Complete
Tr Jn-Bheem Base-Dokala India-China-Bhutan Tri-junction 19.72 Complete [47][48][49]

Related geo-strategic projects[edit]

Geostrategic initiatives include the Andaman and Nicobar Command and the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue.

Border airport and ALG projects[edit]

See also: Indian Airbases, Chinese Airbases, Indian Army bases, and China's bases along LAC
Western Theater Command of China, area under integrated command.

The People's Liberation Army's Western Theater Command is responsible for the defense of China along the whole line of actual control with India.[50] The Indian Armed Forces has divided the LAC into 3 sectors - the western sector across Ladakh and the Chinese-controlled Aksai Chin, the central sector across Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand, and the eastern sector across Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.[51] Similarly, the Indian Airforce has the Prayagraj-based Central Air Command, Delhi-based Western Air Command, and Shillong-based Eastern Air Command to cover the LAC.

Border bridge projects[edit]

  • Teesta River road bridge in Sikkim, already completed in 2020 will serve Doklam sector.
  • Teesta River railway bridge, under construction in July 2020 and on target for completion by December 2020.[59]
  • New bridges on Brahmaputra River in Assam will serve Arunachal Pradesh in Eastern Sector.

Border railway projects[edit]

Main article: Strategic rail lines of India

India's Ministry of Defence (MoD) has identified at least 15 new geostrategic rail lines to be constructed near the China, Pakistan and Nepal borders for troop deployments.[60] In comparison, China has built lines up to Shigatse in Tibet, with plans to connect it to Nepal and further to India.[61] After these lines were proposed by the ministry of defense in 2013, the Government of India approved the initial surveys of all 14 lines in 2014,[62] Some of these as well as other related projects are as follows:

Other border road projects[edit]

Border tunnel projects[edit]

See also: List of rail tunnels in India by length

As of sept 2021, India is constructing 31 road tunnels (up from 17 tunnels of 100km total length planned in 2017), 20 in J&K and 11 in Ladakh, at the combined cost of INR1.4 lakh crore (~US$17.5 billion), this includes tunnels constructed by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).[65] As of November 2022, of the projects assigned to BRO, 5 were complete, 8 were under construction, 11 were in planning and DPR phase, the rest have been assigned to other entities.[66][19] Some of these tunnels have dual road and rail usage. BRO has been constructing tunnels the strategic ICBR roads on Sino-Indian border to provide the year-round all-weather connectivity. Without these tunnels, the road access to high altitude posts on Sino-India border is closed for six months every year due to snowfall and rain, and supplies are through airlift only. These tunnels will reduce the travel time and operational costs, and eliminate the risk of avalanche and landslide. List of tunnels, from west to east along the Indo-Chinese border, is as follows:[67][68]

Route Tunnel name State Length (km) Operational (as of dec 2022) Opening (yyyy (Mmm)) Type (Road / Rail / Dual) Status/Comment
Jammu–Baramulla rail line tunnels Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel Jammu and Kashmir 11.215 km Y 2013 (Dec)[69] Rail 3 tunnels in the project.[69]
T13 Jammu and Kashmir 9.8 km Y 2022 (Dec)[69] Rail
T49 Jammu and Kashmir 12.758 km N 2023 (Dec)[69] Rail


NH44 Jammu-Udhampur-Patnitop-Banihal-Srinagar Highway tunnels Chenani-Nashri Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Tunnel Jammu and Kashmir 9.028 km Y 2017 (Apr) Road 12 tunnels on NH44, two major tunnels are Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee Tunnel & Banihal Qazigund Road Tunnel.[70]
Banihal Qazigund Road Tunnel Jammu and Kashmir 8.45 km Y 2021 (Dec) Road [70]
4-Nandni tunnels Jammu and Kashmir 1.4 km Y 2022 (Dec) Road Between Jammu-Udhampur.[70]
Sudhmahadev–Dharanga Tunnel Jammu and Kashmir 8 km N (under construction) 2025? (?) Road Uni-directional twin-tube tunnel near Patnitop costing INR2,598 cr.[71]
Khellani Tunnel Jammu and Kashmir 2.5 km N (under construction) 2025? (?) Road [72]


NH244 Kishtwar-Qazigund-Anantnag highway Singhpora-Vailoo tunnel (Sinthan Top Tunnel) Jammu and Kashmir 10.3 km N (under construction) 2025? (?) Road cost INR3,253 cr.[71][72] Cost INR4,650 cr. MoRTH approved project since before 2018.
Kathua-Basohli-Bani-Chattergala-Bhaderwah highway Bhaderwah Tunnel Jammu and Kashmir 3.5 km N (DPR) 2027? (?) Road 2-lane tunnel.[71] Cost INR1,133 cr. MoRTH approved project since before 2018.
Chattergalla Tunnel Jammu and Kashmir 6.8 km N (DPR) 2027? (?) Road 2-lane tunnel.[71] Cost INR808 cr. MoRTH approved project since before 2018.
NH144A Jammu-Akhnoor-Poonch highway tunnels (4 tunnels) Kandi tunnel (Tunghi Morh-Chaura tunnel) Jammu and Kashmir ? km N (under construction) 2024 (Aug) Road Paved-shoulder highway, Jammu-Akhnoor 4-lanes & Akhnoor-Poonch 2-lanes. All 4 tunnels built by BRO.[73]


Sungal Tunnel (Daghun-Sungal tunnel) Jammu and Kashmir 2.7 km N (under construction) 2024 (Aug) Road 2-lane tunnel between Daghun village Kali Dwar temple and Chowki Choura, cost INR797 cr for 9.35 section including tunnel.[73]
Nowshera tunnel (Rajal-Kallar tunnel) Jammu and Kashmir ? km N (under construction) 2024 (Aug) Road 2-lane.[74]
Bhimbar Gali tunnel (Kalai-Bhatadurian tunnel) Jammu and Kashmir ? km N (under construction) 2024 (Aug) Road Paved-shoulder highway, Jammu-Akhnoor 4-lanes & Akhnoor-Poonch 2-lanes. All 4 tunnels built by BRO.[73]


Poonch-Sophian Mughal Road highway tunnels Pir ki Gali Tunnel (Chhatapani-Zaznar Tunnel) Jammu and Kashmir 8 km N (DPR done) 2025? (?) Road Poonch-Shopian 2-lane highway with paved shoulder and 2-lane tunnel will cost INR4,000 cr. DPR was ready in mid 2022.[75] Tunnel from Chhatapani from the Poonch side to Zaznar from Shopian, "ideally there should be another tunnel that starts from Thanamandi and ends at Buflaiz to make it an all-weather road".[76] Tunnel cost INR2,000, JICA-funded MoRTH approved project since before 2018.


Tangdhar-Kupwara highway tunnel Sadhna Pass Tunnel Jammu and Kashmir ? km N (DPR done) 2025? (?) Road 2-lane highway with paved shoulder and 2-lane tunnel announced in dec 2021.[76]


Paddar-Atholi-Machail-Zanskar-Kargil highway tunnel Paddar-Zanskar Tunnel (Machail-Zanskar Tunnel) Jammu and Kashmir ? km N (DPR done) 2025? (?) Road 2-lane highway with paved shoulder and 2-lane tunnel announced in dec 2021.[76][77]


NH1 Srinagar-Kargil-Leh tunnels Z-Morh Tunnel Jammu and Kashmir 6.5 km N (under construction) 2023 (Dec) Dual 2-lane tunnels, Zojila-La & Z-Morh are 100 km southwest of Kargil.[78][65][79]
Zoji-la Tunnel Jammu and Kashmir 14.2 km N (under construction) 2023 (Dec) Dual [78][65][79]


Nilgrar Tunnel-I Jammu and Kashmir 0.433 km N (under construction) 2023 (Dec) Dual Twine-tube tunnel part of approach road to Zojila tunnel's west portal.[80]


Nilgrar Tunnel-II Jammu and Kashmir 1.95 km N (under construction) 2023 (Dec) Dual Twine-tube tunnel part of approach road to Zojila tunnel's west portal.[80]


Namika La Ladakh ? km N (DPR) 2027? (?) ? [81]
Fotu La Ladakh ? km N (DPR) 2027? (?) ? [81]


Kargil-Batalik-Dah-Khalatse route tunnel Hamboting La Ladakh ? km N (DPR) 2027? (?) Road 31 km east of Kargil between Kargil & Batalik, provides an alternate to NH1 Kargil-Leh.
Leh-Khalsar-Siachen route Khardung La Ladakh 5.5 km N (DPR) 2027? (?) Road 2-lane tunnel on Khardung La going north from Leh town to Siachen & Nubra valley.[81]


Hemis-Tangste-Durbuk-Pangong Tso route Ke La Ladakh ? km N (DPR) 2027? (?) Road 2-lane tunnel.[81]


NH3 Leh-Manali Highway Lungalacha La tunnel Ladakh 14.5 km N (Tender) 2027? (?) Road (or Dual?) [82][83] Cost for Lachung La tunnel INR6,747 cr.


Bara-lacha la Ladakh ? N (Tender) 2027? (?) Road (or Dual?)


Tanglang La Ladakh 7.5 km N (Tender) 2027? (?) Road (or Dual?) Cost for Tanglang La tunnel INR3,490 cr.
Rohtang Tunnel Himachal Pradesh 9.02 km Y 2020 (Jul) Dual


Nimmu–Padum–Darcha road Shingo La Tunnel Himachal Pradesh 4.25 km N (under construction) 2027? (?) Road Provides an alternate route to NH3 Leh-Manali Highway to reach Leh. Cost INR4,095 cr for 8.8 km tunnel & approach Road.


Harsil-Kharcham Highway Lamkhaga Pass tunnel Himachal & Uttrakhand ? N (DPR) 2027? (?) Road Connect Harsil & Kharcham via Lamkhaga Pass tunnel, & connect to Pooh-Chumar-Hanle Highway.[84]


Char Dham Railway Char Dham rail tunnels Uttrakhand ? N (DPR) 2027? (?) Rail Char Dham Railway multiple rail tunnels.


Char Dham Highway Char Dham highway tunnels Uttrakhand ? km N (under construction) 2024 (Dec) Road Char Dham Highway multiple road tunnels e.g. Chamba tunnel
Chamba tunnel Uttrakhand 0.440 km Y 2021 (Jan) Road Under the town on Rishikesh-Dharasu road.[66]
NH310A Chungthang-Tung North Sikkim highway Theng Tunnel Sikkim 0.578 km Y 2018 (Oct) Road
NH6 Silchar-Shillong Highway Sonapur Tunnel Meghalaya 0.120 km Y 2008 (Sept) Road On NH6 (old NH44) inside Narpuh Sanctuary northwest of Silchar, connects Meghalaya with Assam's Barak Valley in Meghalaya's southeast.[66]


Brahmaputra River Numaligarh-Gohpur under-river tunnel Assam 15.6 km N (DPR) 2029? (?) Dual Twin-tubes 22 metres below river connecting NH-52 and Numaligarh on NH-37 will cost Rs 12,807 crore (US$1.7 b).[85] [86]


NH13 Bogibeel (Assam)-Tawang Highway Nechiphu Pass Arunachal Pradesh 0.5 km N (under construction) 2023 (Jan) Dual 2-lane tunnel halfway between Tawang & Dirang


Sela Tunnels Arunachal Pradesh 1.790 km & 0.475 km N (under construction) 2023 (Jan) Dual D-shaped single-tube Nechiphu Pass tunnel halfway between Bomdila & Bhalukpong.


Sea ports and waterways projects[edit]

Sagarmala port development project and the National Waterways projects will also enhance geostrategic capabilities along LAC and elsewhere. Waterway projects in Assam on Brahmaputra River and its tributaries are of geostrategic importance for the movement of military assets, these include National Waterway 2 and Subansiri River.

Under-river tunnel[edit]

Gohpur–Numaligarh under-river tunnel, is an under construction tunnel under the Brahmaputra river.[87]

Mobile and internet connectivity[edit]

In June 2020, it was announced that 54 villages in the Ladakh region; including the Demchok is among the 19 in Kargil, 11 in Zanskar and 7 in Nubra Valley; will receive mobile phone connectivity from Jio via the satellite connected towers under the Universal Service Obligation Funding (USOF) programme.[88]

Radars[edit]

Northeast connectivity projects[edit]

See also[edit]

India-China border infrastructure

Geostrategic
Similar rail development
Similar roads development
Similar ports and river transport development
Similar air transport development
General

Notes[edit]

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

References[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Banerjee, Ajay (9 June 2013). "Border Logistics. As China builds on border, policy potholes block India. Poor access undermines defence. No one knows how to fund rail lines. Confusion over crossroads within BRO". The Tribune India. Retrieved 11 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ↑ Sen, Sudhi Ranjan (27 February 2015). "Only 20 Per Cent of India-China Strategic Border Roads Ready Till Now". NDTV. Retrieved 17 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 PTI (15 March 2021). "Connectivity achieved on 59 roads along India-China border — Rajnath Singh in Rajya Sabha". ThePrint. Retrieved 18 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Singh, Rahul (13 February 2019). "Speed up road construction along China border: Parliamentary panel asks BRO". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  5. ↑ Singh, Jitendra Bahadur (17 June 2020). "India to accelerate construction of roads along Chinese border: Sources". India Today. Retrieved 8 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ↑ Jakhar, Pratik (30 July 2020). "India and China race to build along a disputed frontier". BBC News. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  7. ↑ "China planning building spree in Tibet as India tensions rise, sources say". Reuters. 4 September 2020.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "India-China Border Row: India Continues To Upgrade Border Infrastructure As Chinese PLA Looks To Pre-Empt India". The EurAsian Times. 4 May 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Singh, Vijaita (15 March 2021). "Critical road on China border being constructed in Ladakh: MHA". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Gurung, Shaurya Karanbir (20 April 2018). "Shortage of funds delaying strategic roads along China border". The Economic Times. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  11. ↑ "Struggling with 73 roads, govt plans 55 more on China border". Deccan Herald. 9 May 2016. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Another 6,700-km roads to come up along LAC". Tribune India. 17 March 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. ↑ "Amid Ladakh standoff with China, India puts border roads in fast lane". Deccan Chronicle. 2 June 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 Singh, Jitendra Bahadur (17 June 2020). "India to accelerate construction of roads along Chinese border: Sources". India Today. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Nag, Devanjana (16 March 2021). "Massive boost to infra along India-China border; Connectivity on 59 strategically important roads achieved". The Financial Express. Retrieved 11 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  16. ↑ 16.00 16.01 16.02 16.03 16.04 16.05 16.06 16.07 16.08 16.09 16.10 Standing Committee on Defence (February 2019) Fiftieth 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.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Dubey, Amitabh (3 July 2020). "How True Is the Claim that Modi Govt Is the Architect of the Border Roads Project?". The Wire. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  18. ↑ Eye on China, govt plans border infra management authority, The Times of India, 2 May 2022.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 19.5 19.6 19.7 "Govt to expedite work on 32 road projects along border with China: Officials". The Times of India. PTI. 23 June 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link) CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  20. ↑ Tripathi, Rahul (5 July 2020). "India's spending on LAC roads has tripled in 4 years". The Economic Times. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 Standing Committee on Defence (February 2021) Defence Committee Action Taken Report, Lok Sabha Secretariat, Parliament of India. Archived on 27 August 2021.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 Dange, Vaibhav (8 October 2020). "One step closer". The Pioneer. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  23. ↑ "To counter China and strengthen border security, India to construct 17 tunnels along LAC". Times Now. 6 November 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  24. ↑ "Kiren Rijiju inaugurates Orang-Kalaktang- Shergaon-Rupa-Tenga Road". Arunachal24. 17 October 2016. Retrieved 19 June 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  25. ↑ "BRO toeing Army targets on Indo-China border roads: ADG". Arunachal Observer. 20 May 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  26. ↑ "Arunachal Pradesh: BRO builds strategic road in remote Arunachal Pradesh district". The Times of India. PTI. 16 February 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link) CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  27. ↑ Kumar, Pradeep (14 February 2018). "BRO links remote villages on Indo-China border". Outlook India. Retrieved 19 June 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  28. ↑ "Balipara-Charduar-Tawang Road to be completed by 2021". Sentinel Assam. 29 August 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  29. ↑ K P Purushotham (2017) History of Project Vartak. Border Roads Organisation, India. pg 8.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 "Work on border roads intensified: BRO DG". The Arunachal Times. 10 February 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 "Border Roads Organization To Speed Up Road Work In Arunachal". Sentinel Assam. 11 February 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  32. ↑ "Arunachal Pradesh Speaker & Minister meet jawans of ITBP at Lamang Post". Sentinel Assam. 17 March 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  33. ↑ "Govt to build 27 roads along India-China Border". One India. 13 December 2006. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  34. ↑ "BRO completes road project, reaching Nelong valley becomes convenient". The Statesman. 6 June 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  35. ↑ "BRO constructs two strategically important roads on China border". The Pioneer. 7 June 2019. Archived from the original on 21 June 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  36. ↑ "Joshimath-Malari highway inaugurated". www.projectstoday.com. 26 December 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 Chauhan, Neeraj (18 July 2020). "Eyeing national security, Uttarakhand, ITBP to improve border infrastructure". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 16 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  38. ↑ "BRO officials asked to speed up pending road projects". Hindustan Times. 20 February 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  39. ↑ After 24 years of work, strategic military outpost near India China border, Times of India, 2016.
  40. ↑ Kumar, Yogesh (11 November 2016). "After 24 years of work, strategic military outpost near India-China border connected with motorable road". The Times of India. Retrieved 18 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 41.2 41.3 Gurung, Shaurya Karanbir (13 June 2020). "3,500 Jharkhand workers to be hired for Ladakh road projects". The Economic Times. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  42. ↑ "Nepal Objects Road Passing Through Lipulekh Pass, India Reacts". Outlook India. 10 May 2020. Archived from the original on 21 June 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  43. ↑ Nandi, Shreya (8 May 2020). "BRO opens new 80-km road for Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims". Livemint. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  44. ↑ Sharma, Suresh (11 September 2019). "Zanskar celebrates as new 'road' brings it 600km closer to Himachal Pradesh". The Times of India. Retrieved 19 June 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  45. ↑ Gupta, Shishir (25 August 2020). "Govt pushes hard to complete 1st all-weather route to Ladakh". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 1 September 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  46. ↑ "India laying new road between Ladakh and Darcha in Himachal Pradesh". Livemint. PTI. 26 August 2020. Retrieved 1 September 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link) CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  47. ↑ Som, Vishnu (3 October 2019). "How 7-Hour Journey On Mule Track To Doklam Now Takes Army Only 40 Minutes". NDTV. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  48. ↑ "Doklam: one motorable road complete, second to be constructed by March 2021". The Economic Times. 3 October 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  49. ↑ Mohan, Vijay (13 February 2021). "Amid LAC deployments, parliamentary panel flags delays in border road construction". Tribune India. Retrieved 9 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  50. ↑ Krishnan, Ananth (13 May 2016). "Eye on India, China raises Tibet military command rank". India Today. Archived from the original on 7 October 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2016 – via Central Tibetan Administration.
  51. ↑ Fazl-e-Haider, Syed (15 July 2020). "Twisting India's Chicken's Neck". The Intepreter. Lowy Institute. Retrieved 18 July 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  52. ↑ "India plans advanced landing strips at Ladakh, Tawang". Deccan Herald. 23 February 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  53. ↑ Joshi, Prateek (26 July 2016). "India's Growing Military Footprint in Eastern Ladakh: Facing China | cogitASIA CSIS Asia Policy Blog". www.cogitasia.com. Center for Strategic and International Studies. Retrieved 16 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  54. ↑ Joshi, Prateek (26 July 2016). "India's Growing Military Footprint in Eastern Ladakh: Facing China". cogitASIA Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Asia Policy Blog. Retrieved 8 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  55. ↑ O'Donnell, Frank; Bollfrass, Alexander K. (March 2020). "The Strategic Postures of China and India: A Visual Guide". Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. Retrieved 8 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 56.2 56.3 Sharma, Suresh (19 June 2020). "Himachal Pradesh: Demand for airstrip in Spiti grows amid increasing India-China tension". The Times of India. Retrieved 16 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  57. ↑ 57.0 57.1 "UDAN reaches Arunachal Pradesh; first commercial flight flagged off". IANS. Business Standard. 22 May 2018. Archived from the original on 20 November 2018. Retrieved 19 November 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 Singh, Bikash (21 May 2018). "Arunachal Pradesh finally gets connected with Guwahati by a commercial flight". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 19 November 2018. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
  59. ↑ 59.0 59.1 Sinha, Avijit (19 June 2020). "Scurry to finish rail and road links to border". Telegraph India. Retrieved 16 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  60. ↑ "India to lay 14 strategic railway lines near China, Pak border". The Times of India. PTI. 27 October 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link) CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  61. ↑ Bhat, Aditya (1 December 2016). "Real reason why India is building 14 strategic rail lines". International Business Times. Retrieved 16 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  62. ↑ Dastidar, Avishek G (22 October 2014). "Government gives go-ahead to 4 strategic rail lines along China border". The Indian Express. Retrieved 16 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  63. ↑ Modi govt’s infra push along China border — 2 new roads, alternate route to Daulat Beg Oldie, The Print, 15 sept 2020.
  64. ↑ Shukla, Ajai (17 September 2020). "Modi, Xi Jinping and Six Years of Battle for the Psychological High Ground". The Wire. Retrieved 27 September 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  65. ↑ 65.0 65.1 65.2 Zojila, Z-Morh tunnels: All you need to know about, Economic Times, 30 Sept 2021.
  66. ↑ 66.0 66.1 66.2 [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/border-roads-organisation-blazes-a-trail-in-most-testing-conditions/articleshow/95608878.cms CITY Border Roads Organisation blazes a trail in most testing conditions], Times of India, 18 nov 2022.
  67. ↑ Gurung, Shaurya Karanbir (13 July 2018). "For year-round border security, India plans tunnels on China border". The Economic Times. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  68. ↑ "Voyants bagged Independent Engineer Services in Arunachal Pradesh". VOYANTS. 16 January 2015. Retrieved 9 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  69. ↑ 69.0 69.1 69.2 69.3 The Engineering Marvel USBRL and its Significance., Asian Times, 13 sept 2022.
  70. ↑ 70.0 70.1 70.2 25 Massive Projects Including National Highways In Jammu Region, At Cost Of Rs 11,800 Cr, Cross Town News, 19 jan 2022.
  71. ↑ 71.0 71.1 71.2 71.3 After Long Wait, Light at End of 2 Key Rs 6,000-Crore J&K Tunnel Projects as Govt Invites Global Tenders, News18, 3 Aug 2022.
  72. ↑ 72.0 72.1 Work on 6 new tunnels in J&K and Ladakh to start in next 2 years: Gadkari, Times of India, 16 oct 2020.
  73. ↑ 73.0 73.1 73.2 Construction of Akhnoor to Poonch highway in full swing, Greater Kashmir, 10 nov 2022.
  74. ↑ Nowshera tunnel on Akhnoor- Poonch road approved, Daily Excelsior,11-2-2021.
  75. ↑ DPR for historic Mughal Road tunnel near completion: Officials, Greater Kashmir, 9 may 2022.
  76. ↑ 76.0 76.1 76.2 30 Road Links, Tunnels Worth Rs 50,000 Cr to Give Jammu and Kashmir Big Infrastructural Push, News18, 3 dec 2021.
  77. ↑ MoRTH okays rekease if 5.6 bn for Akhnoor-Poonch NH, Construction World, 30 sept 2022.
  78. ↑ 78.0 78.1 Everything about Zoji La Tunnel, Telengana Today, 29 Oct 2021.
  79. ↑ 79.0 79.1 Strategic Zojila tunnel to see defence forces crossing into Ladakh 2 years ahead of deadline, The Hindu, 28 March 2022.
  80. ↑ 80.0 80.1 Tunnels in Jammu Kashmir, Drishti, accessed 14 dec 2022.
  81. ↑ 81.0 81.1 81.2 81.3 Tunnels across major passes in Ladakh in offing; to cost Rs 5,000cr, Times of India, 24 nov 2022.
  82. ↑ Vashisht, Abhinav (27 September 2020). "As Rohtang dream becomes reality, focus on 4 more tunnels". Tribune India. Retrieved 17 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  83. ↑ Gurung, Shaurya Karanbir (13 July 2018). "For year-round border security, India plans tunnels on China border". The Economic Times. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  84. ↑ One step closer,Daily Pionner, 8 april 2020.
  85. ↑ Chaturvedi, Amit, ed. (14 July 2020). "Centre gives in-principle approval for tunnel under the Brahmaputra amid tension with China: Report". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 30 August 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  86. ↑ DAS GUPTA, MOUSHUMI DAS GUPTA, ed. (9 September 2021). "Modi govt proposes 15.6-km twin road tunnel of strategic importance under Brahmaputra". The Print. Archived from the original on 11 September 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  87. ↑ Chaturvedi, Amit, ed. (14 July 2020). "Centre gives in-principle approval for tunnel under the Brahmaputra amid tension with China: Report". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  88. ↑ "54 villages in Ladakh to get mobile connectivity". The Tribune. 26 June 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  89. ↑ Jha, Prashant (17 October 2019). "Doppler radars will be installed in Uttarakhand by March 2020". The Times of India. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  90. ↑ Verma, Lalmani (12 September 2020). "IAF plans to set up Air Defence Radars in 3 Uttarakhand districts". The Indian Express. Retrieved 18 September 2020.

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