Thaindian News

New Delhi, March 7 (IANS) A total of 58,000 km of roads and five airfields have come up in Tibet, indicating the extent of infrastructure development by China in the region in aid of its military, Defence Minister A.K. Antony said Monday.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Antony said the total road network in the Tibet Autonomous Region was assessed to be 58,000 km in 2010, apart from five airfields becoming operational at Gongar, Pangta, Linchi, Hoping and Gar Gunsa there.

“Extension of Qinghai Tibet Railway to Xigaze is in progress. Another railway line from Kashgar to Hotan in Xinjiang Uighur autonomous region is under construction,” Antony said, adding that it was understood that China was undertaking infrastructure development programme in Tibet which included construction of roads, railways and airfields.

He said China disputed the international boundary with India and there was no commonly delineated Line of Actual Control (LAC) between the two countries.

“Both sides patrol up to their respective perceptions of LAC. From time to time, on account of differences in the perception of Lac, situations have arisen on the ground that could have been avoided if we had a common perception of the LAC. The number of such incidents in the last three years has generally been as per established pattern,” he said.

Antony said specific cases of infrastructure development by Chinese in close proximity to the LAC were taken up with their authorities through the established mechanism of hot lines, flag meeting and border personnel meetings.

“Necessary steps as required have been initiated for ensuring that national security concerns are adequately addressed through development of infrastructure, including rail, roads and forward airfields, as well as operational capabilities of the armed forces,” he added.