Indian Army warns Rs 40,000 crore Arunachal border road could be a liability

A 1,500-km proposed highway along the China border in Arunachal Pradesh connecting remote areas of the hill state has hit a roadblock with the Army raising objections fearing that it could be a strategic blunder due to its proximity to China in case of a confrontation.

This has irked the state government and could end up in a tussle between the home and defence ministry.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Act East Policy pushing for development in the neglected Northeastern parts could have severe impact with the Army opposing the mega road project costing between Rs 30,000 and 40,000 crore connecting Tawang with Vijoynagar, bordering Myanmar.

HIGHWAY HITS ROADBLOCK

While initial construction between Tawang and Dirang is done, the work ahead is yet to begin, sources said. Sources said local leaders from the state will be writing a protest letter to the prime minister.

"The matter has been brought to my knowledge and I will call a meeting of officials from home and defence ministry along with state officials to sort out the issues," Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Home Affairs, who also represents Arunachal Pradesh said.

The Army is sticking to the old tactic of not developing the border areas to ensure minimal damage and cut off easy access to the enemy in case of an infiltration. However, this would create hurdles in home ministry's plan to push to develop the remote areas and resettle the local population.

Sources said since there were no infrastructure, locals have been pushed as far as 50 km from the border, posing a threat from Chinese forces who could claim it to be their territory in case there is a faceo-ff.

THE HIGH ROAD

The road has also been planned considering the largescale migration of people from border areas and the need to push them back by creating all basic amenities.

"They should be happy that the road is close to the border. It can be a boon for the troops for swift mobilisation," said an official. Pasang Dorjee, an MLA from Arunachal Pradesh, said the Army is creating hurdles for road project that will affect development in the area.

"Instead of saying that the road should be closer to the border, like China did, the Army is saying it should not be along the border."

While the lack of infrastructure and roads on the Indian side has been old grievance of the locals, the situation across the border is completely different. "Chinese forces have top-class roads till their border outposts. The villages and towns are well inhabited and have excellent infrastructure. If not match them, we need to at least achieve 10 per cent of what they have," said a government official.

Earlier Beijing had also registered a protest to the road project as it could complicate the border dispute. India has been concerned with the development of areas across the border and with China's road network getting expanded.

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