As the Indian military prepares for the harsh winter months in Eastern Ladakh guarding the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is expected to strengthen bridges and culverts on Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldi (DSDBO) road to transport supplies through trucks.
According to a report in HT, DSDBO road can be used to deploy T -90 tanks, infantry combat vehicle and surface to air missiles all along the eastern Ladakh Line of Actual Control with Tibet. It further stated that unlike previous years when the Srinagar-Zoji La-Kargil Leh axis is closed for about 95 days due to snow, this time it will only be closed for 45 days.
The BRO is expected to strengthen the tunnels and culverts to Class 70 on the DSDBO road by October 15. Class 70 bridge means that it can bear a load of 70 tons, which is more than the weight of a fully-loaded tank trailer, said the report.
Government sources told HT that the BRO, under the defence ministry, will also keep the new Darcha-Padam-Nimu-Leh road clear of snow throughout December and January 2021 to transport military supplies. It further said that the government is also looking to build the shortest tunnel at Shinku La on Darcha-Padam axis to have a snow-free road throughout the year.
Despite efforts to disengage through several rounds of military and diplomatic talks, India and China maintain their positions on the border accompanied by heavy artillery.
Even after reaching a five-point action plan in the Moscow meeting between the Indian External Affairs Minister and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, both sides have maintained the buildup on the LAC.
As reported earlier by EurAsian Times, the PLA has deployed more than 10,000 troops along the LAC, mirrored by thousands of Indian troops, armour, and air force deployed. The new consensus reached among the ministers in Moscow on September 10 shall lead to new rounds of talks among military and government officials to de-escalate, said experts.
