New Delhi, Nov 16 (Bureau) Amid growing tensions with China along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh, Indian Army has launched a massive drive to enhance capabilities and upgrade infrastructure for troops in the area. In the last two years, habitat and technical storage to house 22,000 troops and approximately 450 tanks and guns have been constructed to fortify defences in the sector, top sources in the defence establishment said. Further, they added that the focus has now shifted to undertake construction of Permanent Defences and infrastructure to improve defence preparedness in extant working season apart from completion of ongoing projects. These Permanent Defences are 3D printed and can even handle a fire by a variety of weapons including T-90 tanks. Besides, the Indian Army’s Corps of Engineers has enhanced patrolling capabilities of the troops in the Pangong Tso lake area with introduction of new Landing Crafts in Eastern Ladakh. The capability enhancement matches with the adversaries’ boats with a speed of 35 knots, sources added. “Multiple agencies of the government are working in a planned manner in Eastern Ladakh keeping in mind the priorities,” they said.
All the shelters constructed in the past two years are relocatable and similar shelters or structures for soldiers are being set up with certain amount of modifications based on seasonal requirements, they added. Regarding capabilities enhancement in the Doklam sector, sources said that multiple feeder roads and bridges have been developed resulting in better connectivity and increased reaction capabilities of the troops. To enhance connectivity in the forward areas, recently inducted new generation plant equipment such as heavy excavators, spider excavators and light weight crawler rock drills were gainfully employed to expedite the progress. Border Roads Organisation is also constructing 9 tunnels which include 2.535 Km long Sela tunnel, which will be the highest bi-lane tunnel in the world once completed, 11 more tunnels are also under planning.