New Delhi: Amid the simmering tension with China, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved series of measures to promote strengthening of existing military bases along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), adding more manpower in the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), guarding India-China border (LAC) and also promoting habitation in the border areas.
The Cabinet, giving a go-ahead to 4.1 km long Shinkun La tunnel comes as a big move as it will lead to all-weather connectivity to border areas of Ladakh. Moreover, the Centre clearing raising of 7 new battalions in ITBP comprising of more than 9,000 jawans & setting up of sector headquarters (at border) will redefine India’s rising military prowess at the border.
The Centre has kept a deadline of 2025-26 for filling 9,400 new posts in the ITBP.
The Shinkun tunnel will not only allow all-weather connectivity to Ladakh but will help quick deployment of troops and mobilization of weaponry in times of adverse situations.
Remember, the dragon has significantly enhanced its presence along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the incidents of Chinese transgressions have also increased after 2019.
Additional recruitment of more than 9,000 troops will fortify the existing ITBP base in border areas and will go a long way in making the enemies unnerved.
According to official estimates, the new manpower in ITBP will be utilized for manning 47 new border posts. Currently, the number of border posts along the LAC stands at 178.
The Cabinet also gave go-ahead to 47 BOPs and 12 Staging Posts yesterday.
With the Ladakh tunnel coming up by December 2025, India will get a strategic edge in defending its borders on the China side. The ongoing stand-off between Indian & Chinese armies and repeated incidents of border skirmishes necessitated this move.
Moreover, the government also announced Vibrant Villages Program (VVP) with a fund allocation of Rs 4,800 crore under which villages along border areas will be made habitable with govt support.
