The Indian Union government has announced the approval of more than Rs 1,100 crore for the development of critical infrastructure in Arunachal Pradesh. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has also given the go-ahead for the construction of 32 roads under phase II of the Indo-China Border Roads (ICBR) scheme. This represents a shift in policy compared to the past when less development took place along the China border due to restrictions.
Investment in Critical Infrastructure Development in Arunachal Pradesh
Most of the approved projects are located in areas along the China border in the north and northeast regions of Arunachal Pradesh. The plans include the construction of motorable roads, mule tracks and facilities for porters. The key focus is on the construction of 18 foot-tracks and roads spanning 598 km. This infrastructural boost will help augment the capabilities of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), who maintain vigilance along the border. In addition, these tracks could serve as crucial transport routes for the Army, assisting in moving both personnel and materials.
The Indo-China Border Roads Scheme
The ICBR scheme began its initial phase in 2005 with the decision that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) would build 27 priority roads covering a distance of 608 km in areas adjacent to China. Initial cost estimates had indicated an expenditure of around Rs. 912 crore. Other significant projects undertaken in this scheme involved agencies such as the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). A few notable examples include the Darbuk-Shayok-Daulat Beg Oldie (DS-DBO) road and Rohtang tunnel in Ladakh, the Sela Tunnel, and a road and rail tunnel beneath the Brahmaputra river, developed in collaboration with Indian Railways.
Under the second phase of the ICBR scheme, highways covering 638.12 km with a cost of Rs. 12,434.90 crore have been planned across Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
The Strategic Importance of Roads in Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh borders China, Myanmar and Bhutan, with the longest boundary being shared with China, who claims the entire state as South Tibet. The absence of adequate communication and basic facilities near the border not only detrimentally affects locals but also raises security concerns for the nation. Extremist activity in the northeast, smuggling and illegal migration necessitate tighter border security.
Encroachments by China and Countermeasures
China has been escalating its activities in the bordering areas of Arunachal Pradesh by establishing new villages and constructing roads and highways. In response, India is channeling 10% of the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) funds towards improving infrastructure along the China border.
Additional Measures to Strengthen Infrastructure
The BRO has completed the Daporijo bridge over the Subansiri river in Arunachal Pradesh, connecting roads up to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China. Other developments include the foundation of a tunnel at Nechiphu in West Kameng district, the Sisseri River Bridge in lower Dibang Valley, and the resurfacing of a runway in India’s easternmost village, Vijaynagar, in Changlang district. The Indian Army conducted exercise ‘HimVijay’ in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam using its newly created Integrated Battle Groups (IBG). Additionally, the Bogibeel bridge, India’s longest road-rail bridge, was inaugurated in 2018, linking Dibrugarh in Assam to Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh.
Preserving the Border Population
The Arunachal Pradesh state government has suggested selecting 10 census towns along the India-China border as pilot projects for infrastructure development. This initiative aims to prevent locals, specifically those living near the border, from migrating to distant urban centers within the state.
