Inaugurates 11 projects in J&K, 9 in Ladakh
World’s highest road Mig La Pass being constructed in Leh
Jammu, Jan 20: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today voiced concern over natural disaster in some border States and Union Territories including Uttarakhand, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim in recent years saying climate change is no longer just a weather-related phenomenon but is also linked to national security.
He was addressing the gathering at village Dhak near Joshimath in Uttarakhand after dedicating to the nation 35 projects including 11 in Jammu and Kashmir and nine in Ladakh virtually.
Eleven infrastructure development projects inaugurated by the Defence Minister in Jammu and Kashmir include Jotha, Sharthi and Sharad bridges on Basohli-Bani-Bhaderwah road, Kannha bridge on Kappagala-Battal road, Balini bridge on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, Kargi bridge on Akhnoor-Jourian road, Jaglanoo and Nagrota bridges on Rajouri-Kandi-Budhal road and Mohagala and Matka bridges on Pouni-Siar-Rajouri road.
Among nine projects inaugurated by Rajnath Singh in the Union Territory of Ladakh, seven were in Kargil district and two in Leh district.
A bridge virtually inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Kargil on Friday.
A bridge virtually inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Kargil on Friday.
Bridges and roads dedicated to the nation in Ladakh were Kargil-Dumgil, Khaltse-Batalik, Morpochu bridge on Zojila-Kargil-Leh road, Dah-III bridge on Khaltse-Batalik road, Hanu-Gongma bridge on Hanuthang-Handangbrok road, Sapi-II bridge on Sanku-Kunore-Sapi Lal-Mulbekh road and Tulamputti bridge on Khalsar-Sasoma road.
These bridges and roads assumed strategic as well as socio-economic important as they will provide connectivity and logistics to Armed Forces towards the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh. Besides, the projects will contribute to socio-economic upliftment of the area by connecting villages from hinterland to the main roads, thereby boosting socio-economic development of the region, providing positive impetus on tourism and generating greater employment opportunities, an official statement said.
On upcoming infrastructure projects by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), the Defence Minister referred to construction of world’s highest road at 19,400 feet over Mig La Pass, 10 tunnels and Nyoma airfield in Ladakh at an altitude of 13,700 feet besides others.
“Completion of 345 meter long permanent bridge over Shyok river at Saser Brangsa in Ladakh by Kargil-based Project Vijayak at an altitude of nearly 15,300 feet in a single working season of just six months is a perfect example of this endeavour,” he said, adding the bridge will provide all weather alternate connectivity to the strategically vital Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) sector in Ladakh.
In his address, Singh specifically drew attention to the increasing number of natural disasters in some border States and Union Territories including Uttarakhand, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim in recent years, noting that many experts believe that climate change is the reason behind these incidents.
Climate change is no longer just a weather-related phenomenon but is also linked to national security, he said, adding the Ministry of Defence is taking this very seriously and will seek cooperation from friendly countries in this regard, if needed.
“The frequency of natural disasters has risen in some States and Union Territories like Uttarakhand, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim. Experts believe it is linked with climate change. But I think a study needs to be conducted to find if there is also a role of our adversaries in it,” Singh said without naming any country.
His comments came against the backdrop of China ramping up border infrastructure along the nearly 3,500 km-long Line of Actual Control that criss-crosses the frontier regions of Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh.
The Defence Minister stressed that connectivity is being provided to every border area in the country through roads, bridges and tunnels, describing the work as not only of strategic importance, but also pivotal for the welfare of the people residing in these regions.
“People living near the borders are no less than soldiers. If a soldier protects the country by wearing a uniform, the residents of border areas are serving the motherland in their own way,” he said.
Singh said the Modi government has changed the approach adopted by previous Governments that the border areas are buffer zones between the plains and the potential adversary.
The present Government considers border areas a part of the mainstream and not a buffer zone, he emphasised.
“We are developing infrastructure on the mountains and deploying the troops on hill borders in such a way that it is ensuring the safety of the people there, and helping the military to effectively deal with our adversaries,” he said.–(Daily Excelsior)
