The Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie (DSDBO) road has been under construction for approximately twenty years and is expected to be finalized by 2020. This anticipated project aims to provide a significant strategic advantage by connecting distant, high-altitude locations near India’s border with China.
Overview of the DSDBO Road
The DSDBO road stretches for 255 kilometers from Darbuk, crossing an altitude of 14,000 feet to reach Shyok, the last Indian village in this region. The road route extends from Leh to the Karakoram Pass, which separates the Ladakh region from China’s Xinjiang province. Between Shyok and the Karakoram Pass is Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO), a plateau elevated over 16,000 feet. It is also the site of an Advanced Landing Ground (ALG), utilized by the air force to airdrop supplies.
DSDBO Road: Background and Progress
The construction of the DSDBO road was initiated in 2000 with expectations of completion by 2012 at a budget of Rs. 320 crore, supervised by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). However, the original alignment with the Shyok riverbed led to recurrent damages due to summer flooding. Consequently, significant parts of the road were realigned away from the river.
In October 2019, the 430-meter-long Colonel Chewang Rinchen Setu was inaugurated over the Shyok river, effectively linking Durbuk to DBO in Eastern Ladakh. Simultaneously, India’s government declared the Siachen Glacier area open for tourists.
Border Conflicts and DSDBO Road
Despite ongoing border confrontations and objections from China, India has decided to continue the construction on its side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The Chinese government has shown concerns over India utilizing the DSDBO road to its full potential.
Significance of the DSDBO Road
The strategic importance of the DSDBO road cannot be understated. DBO’s proximity to the LAC with China (a mere 9 km away) makes this road crucial for managing the border and adjacent areas such as Aksai Chin, Chip Chap River, and Jiwan Nalla. It ensures faster troop deployment in the region. Prior to this road, the only way to reach the area was via the ALG.
DSDBO Road: A Path Forward
During the Wuhan (2018) and Mahabalipuram (2019) summits, both India and China reaffirmed commitments to maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border regions. As of April 1st, 2020, India and China celebrated 70 years of diplomatic relations. Given their resolved border issues peacefully over the past four decades, there is optimism that current tensions will subside soon. As two of the world’s largest economies, demographies, markets, and militaries, it is in the interests of both nations to align their energies towards the growth and development of their people, region, and global peace.