Amid standoff, Centre reviews Ladakh security, infra projects

Mukesh Ranjan

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 18

Amid ongoing border tension in the Ladakh region, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi today held a security review meeting and assessed the progress in the ongoing border infrastructure projects with senior MHA and ITBP officials.

Sources said officials of the intelligence wings were also present and discussed reports on the recent developments and additional measures needed.

ITBP personnel are deployed on the border in the Ladakh region along with the Army and they patrol along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China to ensure Indian positions are protected. Another issue that came up for discussion was the infrastructure requirements of the forces in the border areas, sources said.

Recently the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has cleared a proposal to construct a road from Marsimik La to Hot Spring as a “standalone project” in the region to ensure access to “vantage points” for security forces.

Sources in the government said the project worth Rs 120.58 crore has been sanctioned by the MHA. The 32.9-km road will help connect security forces to remote areas to the east of Ladakh region, which has earlier witnessed aggression from the Chinese forces, officials said. The project, officials added, is part of the India-China Border Road-I, where India is building 73 other border roads.