Sharmistha Mukherjee
The Indian Express
May 4, 2015
Bridge is 3.55 km longer than sea link over the Mahim Bay in Mumbai — the longest bridge in the country so far.
China has a sizeable deployment of troops opposite Kibithu Tatu, Tithang and at Rongtu Chu valley west of Tithang.
There have been repeated incursions by Chinese troops in the fish-tail area — called so because of the unique shape of the LAC there — in Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh. In August 2013, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) reportedly crossed the LAC and occupied territory 20 km around Chaglagam in Anjaw district for nearly four days. PLA soldiers make no efforts to remove evidence of their intrusions as China doesn’t recognise Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory.
Senior government officials said while the process of raising a mountain strike corps has begun, India lacks infrastructure on its side of the LAC as compared to China. “Our troops have to be moved by air to advanced landing grounds and then walk several miles to the border posts. They are supplied by mule trains. The government has now taken a decision to strengthen the border road network,” said an official who did not wish to be identified.
While the construction work on the bridge started in November 2010, the letter of appointment was handed over in June 2011. The scope of the work includes construction of the 9.15 km bridge and 16.65 km of approach roads at a cost of Rs 876 crore. Of this, Rs 592 crore is being provided by the government.
