Border infrastructure along the Sino-Indian border, which has several border areas disputed by both India and China, encompasses irrigation, roads, railways, airports, natural gas and oil pipelines, electricity grids, telecommunications, and broadcasting. In the context of the border tensions between India and China, many of these infrastructure projects in the borderlands are considered strategic in nature. Commentators have noted the infrastructure gap that existed, and still exists, between the infrastructure on the borderlands of India and China.Template:Sfn For many decades, the approach taken to the construction of border infrastructure by China and India was significantly different,Template:Sfn however, in terms of utilizing the natural resources of the borderlands for the needs of the country, both countries are said to have a similar approach.Template:Sfn
Context
The Line of Actual Control (LAC) is the disputed border between India and China, which has led to the ongoing Sino-Indian border dispute. There are designated Border Personnel Meeting Points (BPM Points or BPMP) on LAC, mutually agreed by India and China, for conducting meeting to resolve the dispute.[1]
Chinese Military has an integrated Western Theater Command (WTC) across the whole LAC with India. Western Theater Command also covers provinces of Sichuan, Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai and Chongqing.[2]
Indian Military has divided the LAC into 3 sectors – the northern sector (some times also called western sector) across Ladakh and the Chinese-held Aksai Chin, the central sector across Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand states, and the eastern sector across Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh states.[3][4]
China
Air infrastructure
Template:Anchor Template:See also
See China's air infrastructure in Western Theater.
Roads
Template:Anchor Template:See also
China has built several roads along Indian border:
- China National Highway 219 (G219):[5]
It runs from Kargilik County in Xinjiang to Kargilik County in Tibet. It runs along the China-held and India-claimed Trans-Karakoram Tract (Shakshlgam Valley) to northeast of Sikkim. - China National Highway 318 (G318):
It runs from Chengdu in Sichuan to Lhasa north of Sikkim and then to Nyalam near border with Nepal and connects to Kathmandu. - China National Highway 349 (G349):
It runs from Lahsa near the India-Bhutan-Tibet border to areas along the Arunachal Pradesh.
Railway
Template:Anchor Template:Main Template:See also
- Qinghai–Tibet railway (Qingzang railway), existing:
Template:Convert long high-elevation railway that connects Xining in Qinghai Province to Lhasa.[6][7] - Sichuan–Tibet railway (Sichuan–Xizang railway or Chuanzang railway), planned:
Will connect Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan, and Lhasa, the provincial capital of Tibet.[8] The line will be Template:Convert long,[9][10] will significantly cut travel time from Chengdu to Lhasa from 48 to 13 hours.[11]
China-Pakistan infrastructure
Template:Anchor Template:See also
China is constructing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Azad Kashmir which is an area claimed by India. India also claims the nearby Trans-Karakoram Tract (Shaksgam Valley) ceded to China by Pakistan. Pakistan and China have also built the strategic Karakoram Highway, which connects Pakistan-held India-claimed Gilgit to Xinjiang.[12]
Xiaokang – border defense villages
China has developed a number of "xiaokang" or "model well-off border defence villages".[13] The number of villages reportedlyTemplate:En dash range from 624,[13][14] and 680,[15][16] to 965.[14] Some of the new Chinese border villages (with claimed location) are as follows:
- Arunachal Pradesh:
- Template:Interlanguage link in 2021,[17]
- Kyungling (Arunachal Pradesh)[18]
- Bhutan:
- Uttarakhand:
India
Air infrastructure
Template:Anchor Template:See also
See the Indian air bases and advanced landing grounds (ALG) along China border.
PP – Patrol Points
Template:Anchor Template:See also
India has identified the specific Patrol Points with the specified route and the maximum depth up to which Indian troops usually patrol into the disputed territory on LAC. Patrolling points provide a truer sense of the extent of India's limits of actual control.[23][24][25]
Railway
Template:Anchor Template:See also Template:Expand section
Some of that Indian railway projects serving the border with China are:
- Bhanupli–Leh line, planned & approved.
Roads & ICBR
Template:Anchor Template:See also
India has embarked on constructing India-China Border Roads.
Telephony and Internet
Under the 4G Saturation project, the BSNL will set up 20,000 4G towers in 30,000 border villages at the cost of ₹26,000 crore rupees from the Universal Service Obligation Fund. As of May 2023 the project was already underway and it will be completed in 15 months by 31 July 2024. Today, India has about 640,000 villages, of which 575,000 have been covered by mobile telephony and data connectivity, leaving a gap of 65,000 villages without connectivity, of these 40,000 villages are being covered under the border village plan. Under the 4G saturation plan, the government wants to connect 100% villages with 4G services by 2024.[26]
Village infrastructure development
India has two non-overlapping distinct schemes, the Vibrant Village Program (VVP) specifically for the Indian villages on border with China and the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) for Indian villages on border with all the neighboring countries including China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, etc.[27]
VVP – Vibrant Village Program
Vibrant Village Program (VVP) has matured into a strategic centerpiece of India's frontier policy, designed to reverse outward migration by transforming remote outposts into self-sustaining hubs through comprehensive infrastructure, 24/7 renewable energy, and "Digital Village" initiatives including 4G/5G-ready telecom masts and SMART classes for distance education.[28] The scheme prioritizes livelihood generation and job creation by integrating youth and women into eco-tourism circuits, agri-cooperatives, and high-value medicinal plant extraction hubs, while leveraging CSR-PPP collaborations for localized logistics and "Skill India" vocational centers.[29] The district administrator prepares the district and village level plans with the help of grampanchayats (elected Village council) in a "hub & spokes" based growth centers model by identifying natural & human resources to develop tourism & eco-agriculture, comprehensive infrastructure including electricity, communications, healthcare, roads, startups, social enterprises, youth and woman entered empowerment, etc. to stop the outward migration. NGOs, self help groups (SHG) and cooperatives will also be included.[27]
VVP Phase I (2022–2026) is complete, which was a Centrally-Sponsored Scheme (with Centre vs State share of 60%:40% non-hill and 90%:10% hill- states) with an outlay of Template:INRConvert (including Template:INRConvert for roads) covering 662 priority villages across the India-China border.[30] To boost the astrotourism in India, the government had setting up observatories at Jadhang and some other places under this program.[31]
VVP Phase II (2025–2029), is a 100% Union-funded Central Sector Scheme with a Template:INRConvert budget, covering additional 1,954 villages across 17 States and UTs abutting all international land borders, including those with Pakistan and Bangladesh.[30]
BADP – Border Area Development Programme
The Border Area Development Programme (BADP) was initiated in the 1980s along the western border with Pakistan. By June 2020, the scheme covered nearly 400 blocks in 111 border districts in 18 states and union territories.[1] This scheme extends to development projects within 10 km of the border.Template:NoteTag Projects can include roads, bridges, health facilities, primary schools, irrigation, and sports facilities.[1] In 2019–20, the scheme was allotted Template:INRConvert, while in 2020–21 it was allotted Template:INRConvert.[1]
In 1997, BADP started in Arunachal Pradesh. It first applied to the Indo-Myanmar Border and in 1998 was extended to the Indo-China and Indo-Bhutan borders.[32] Even after ten years, BADP was unable to provide development to the over 1500 villages in the border blocks of Arunachal Pradesh; "the border blocks are yet to be opened up and are in utter backwardness due to their isolation and inaccessibility".[32] A NITI Aayog evaluation study for the period 2007–2011 and published in 2015 found that while the heads of Gram Panchayats (GPs) gave positive feedback related to BADP, and while people have benefitted in some ways, the requirement of border villages in Arunachal Pradesh were so great that they couldn't be met by BADP in one go:Template:Sfn Template:Blockquote
Arunachal border villages
Arunachal Pradesh has 455 villages under vibrant village scheme. Of these, 135 villages are designated as priority villages, because they are not yet connected by the roads. In January 2024, the central Ministry of Rural Development approved Rs 2,205 crores project to connect these 125 unconnected villages in Arunachal with 105 roads of total distance of 1,022 km. Detailed Project Reports (DPR) are being prepared for these 105 road. Remaining 10 villages are not being considered presently because of issues related to the land acquisition.[33]
| District | Block | No of Villages | Pop (2001 census) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tawang | Tawang | 37 | 12949 |
| Kitpi | 47 | 4853 | |
| West Kameng | Nafra | 29 | 13644 |
| East Kameng | Bameng | 69 | 9244 |
| Chayngtajo | 68 | 10881 | |
| Kurung Kumey | Huri-Damin | 32 | 2957 |
| Pipsorang | 32 | 2206 | |
| Sarli | 36 | 1951 | |
| Koloriang | 52 | 4798 | |
| Parsi-Parlo | 43 | 3226 | |
| Upper Subansiri | Nacho | 65 | 5249 |
| Siyum | 48 | 4080 | |
| West Siang | Mechuka | 45 | 6244 |
| Monigong | 34 | 3025 | |
| Kaying-Payum | 25 | 5543 | |
| Upper Siang | Tuting | 16 | 5874 |
| Singa-Gelling | 18 | 1692 | |
| Lower Dibang Valley | Hunli | 41 | 3114 |
| Dibang Valley | Anini-Mipi | 38 | 4344 |
| Etalin-Maliney | 28 | 1575 | |
| Aneli-Arzoo | 34 | 1353 | |
| Anjaw | Chaglagam | 42 | 2412 |
| Hayuliang | 92 | 10262 | |
| Total | 962 | 121476 |
Battlefield tourism
The Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan is an initiative of the Indian Military which will boost border tourism, patriotism, local infrastructure and economy while reversing civilian outward migration from these remote locations, it entails 77 battleground war memorials in border area including the Longewala War Memorial, Sadhewala War Memorial,[34] Tanot Mata, Siachen base camp, Kargil, Galwan, Pangong Tso, Rezang La, Doklam, Bum La, Cho La, Kibithu, etc.[35]
See also
References
- Notes
- Citations
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 India to boost infrastructure in areas along China border. The Hindu(2020-06-03). Retrieved 2021-01-19.
- ↑ Eye on India, China raises Tibet military command rank | Central Tibetan Administration. tibet.net. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
- ↑ India-China War: US Study Explains Why Indian Air Force Could Outgun China In A Border Conflict Template:Webarchive, Eurasian Times, 24 July 2020.
- ↑ Twisting India's Chicken's Neck. lowyinstitute.org. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
- ↑ 国道G219线南撒至岗莫标山建设项目稳步推进, 通讯员 窦海蓉 李岩旺. m.yunnan.cn(21 April 2020). Retrieved 10 July 2020.
- ↑ China Today. www.chinatoday.com.cn. Retrieved 2023-08-20.
- ↑ The Official website of Yunnan province Report of inauguration. Retrieved 1 July 2006.
- ↑ China Approves New Railway for Tibet. english.cri.cn. CRI.
- ↑ 西藏拉林铁路开工建设(2014-12-19).
- ↑ 四川藏区加速构建立体交通网(2014-12-25). Retrieved 2024-01-25.
- ↑ China starts work on central section of Sichuan-Tibet Railway. International Railway Journal(11 November 2020). Retrieved 13 February 2021.
- ↑ The BRO’s Mega Project in Eastern Ladakh: A New Road to Daulat Beg Oldi, The Diplomat, 6 October 2023.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 China digging in for long haul in Ladakh, Ranade, Jayadeva. Rediff(12 February 2022). Retrieved 2022-02-15.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 China's Land Border Law is more sinister than it lets on. India needs a course correction, Panag, Lt Gen (Retd) H S. ThePrint(2021-11-11). Retrieved 2022-02-15.
- ↑ Come clean on Arunachal situation. Deccan Herald(2021-11-15). Retrieved 2022-02-15.
- ↑ 680 thriving Chinese villages along Indian borders cause of concern, says expert. Tribune India(26 September 2021). Retrieved 2022-02-15.
- ↑ Exclusive: China Has Built Village In Arunachal, Show Satellite Images, Som, Vishnu. NDTV.com(18 January 2021). Retrieved 2021-11-22.
- ↑ Second China-Constructed Enclave In Arunachal, Show New Satellite Images, Som, Vishnu. NDTV.com(18 November 2021). Retrieved 2021-11-22.
- ↑ China Sets Up Village Within Bhutan, 9 Km From Doklam Face-Off Site, Som, Vishnu. NDTV.com(20 November 2020). Retrieved 2021-11-22.
- ↑ Satellite images appear to show China developing area along disputed border with India and Bhutan. CNN(25 November 2020). Retrieved 2020-11-24.
- ↑ Latest Satellite Images Show New Village Very Close to Indian Borders, Pundir, Pallavi. Vice(11 December 2020). Retrieved 2022-02-15.
- ↑ Spotlight on Ladakh, China secretly made moves in central, Sikkim and eastern sectors, Gupta, Shishir. Hindustan Times(2020-11-20). Retrieved 2022-02-15.
- ↑ Month before standoff, China blocked 5 patrol points in Depsang. The Indian Express(2020-09-20). Retrieved 2020-09-27.
- ↑ Patrolling Points: What do these markers on the LAC signify?, Singh, Sushant. The Indian Express(2020-07-13). Retrieved 2020-09-27.
- ↑ India-China LAC Standoff: Know what are patrolling points and what do they signify. The Financial Express(2020-07-09). Retrieved 2020-09-27.
- ↑ BSNL goes to borders to set up 20,000 4G towers., LiveMint, 2 June 2023.
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 Amit Shah launches Vibrant Villages Programme in Arunachal: What is this scheme, Indian Express, 14vApr 2023.
- ↑ Vibrant Villages Programme - BPR&D. Bureau of Police Research and Development(2025-11-25).
- ↑ VVP-II expansion on, border areas secured. Arunachal Observer(2026-03-27).
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 Union Home Minister Amit Shah launches ₹6,839 crore Vibrant Villages Programme–II. Press Information Bureau(2026-02-20)..
- ↑ India’s new tourism boom is in the sky. Uttarakhand to Andamans, stargazing on the rise, The Print, 5 June 2023.
- ↑ 32.0 32.1 32.2 Border Area Development Programme in Arunachal PradeshTemplate:Dead link. Status on October 2009. Department of Planning, Government of Arunachal Pradesh. Retrieved on 19 January 2021.
- ↑ Centre-approved proposals to connect 125 unconnected habitations in Arunachal: Governor, Goa Chronicle, 26 January 2024.
- ↑ The Story Of Tanot Mata, The Deity Who Protected Our Soldiers From Pakistani Bombs In 1971 War, India Times, 16 Dec 2020.
- ↑ Add Galwan, Siachen to holiday plan. India is opening battle tourism bunker, India Today, 15 Jan 2025.
- Sources
- India-China Borderlands: Conversations beyond the Centre{{#if:Kurian|, Kurian}. Sage Publishing India(2014). ISBN 9789351504320
- Conflict in India and China's Contested Borderlands: A Comparative Study{{#if:Mukherjee|, Mukherjee}. Routledge(2019). ISBN 9780429677625
- Template:Cite report
- Template:Cite report
Further reading
- India China: Rethinking Borders and Security{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. University of Michigan Press(2016). ISBN 9780472130061
- Living on the Sino-Indian Border: The Story of the Mishmis in Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast India. Asian Ethnology({Template:Date).
- Elusive Tipping Point, The: China-India Ties For A New Order{{#if:Suryanarayana|, Suryanarayana}. World Scientific(2021). ISBN 978-981-12-2583-3
- Towards a joint Western alternative to the Belt and Road Initiative?, Grieger, Gisela. December 2021. European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS). European Parliament(December 2021).
- China and India's Border Infrastructure Race, Ramachandran, Sudha. Jamestown. China Brief Volume: 16 Issue: 14(13 September 2016).
- New Tensions, Old Problems on the Sino-Indian Border, Lidarev, Ivan. Jamestown. China Brief Volume: 15 Issue: 24(21 December 2015).
- Management of India-China Border Area: A Case Study of Arunachal Pradesh. Indian Foreign Affairs Journal({Template:Date).