Ministry of Defence

Department of Defence

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 1705

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2016

Armys Objections to highway Along China border

1705. Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Army has raised objections to the 1,500 km. proposed highway along the China border in Arunachal Pradesh connecting remote areas of the State;

(b) if so, whether Government has taken a note of these objections; and

(c) the steps taken by Government to alleviate the fears of the Army regarding infiltration from the bordering countries through the proposed highway?

Answer
MINISTER OF DEFENCE
SHRI MANOHAR PARRIKAR

(a) & (b): Based on operational requirement of the Army, proposal for construction of Tawang to Vijaynagar highway has been endorsed with a few changes in its alignment.

(c) Country’s borders are adequately guarded and the areas along borders are kept under surveillance by regular patrolling by troops and other aerial, optronic and electronic means.