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| India landed a C-130J Super Hercules transport plane in DBO in 2013, a move that was seen as signalling to China the reach of its air power in the area. |
July 18, 2016, NewsCrunch
India is making steady progress on a key road that leads to the the world’s highest airstrip at Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) in Ladakh, located at over 16,000 feet.
The 255 km Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldi road is due for completion in 2022 and recently the work on a critical bridge was completed, reports The Hindu.
India landed a C-130J Super Hercules transport plane in DBO in 2013, a move that was seen as signalling to China the reach of its air power in the area. The completion of the road would make DBO fully operational and make it easy for the movements of men and material.
DBO is also about 16 km south of the strategic Karakoram Pass.
India is also strengthening several other roads along the route to facilitate the movement of heavy vehicles.
Over the last five years, India has been seriously playing catch up with the Chinese, who besides claiming territory in the region, have build impressive border infrastructure.
In Eastern Ladakh, China has built three air fields at Kashgar, Shiquan and Hotan and deployed several mechanised and armoured troops deployed along the frontier.
The Hindu reports that the Indian Army has also also moved in tanks, mechanised units and artillery to some areas of Ladakh. Fortified bunkers on mountains are also being built, besides stepping up patrolling in the border that has led to increased stand offs with the Chinese army.
