New Delhi, Dec 9 (IANS) The construction of 61 roads along the India-China border have been delayed due to environment clearances not coming in time and inclement weather, Defence Minister A.K. Antony said Wednesday.
The government had earmarked 73 roads for construction along the unresolved 4,056 km long Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. But only 12 roads have been completed so far.

“There are 73 roads along Indo-China LAC, out of which 61 are being constructed by BRO (Border Roads Organisation). Till date 12 such roads have been completed. Work is in progress on 41 other roads,” Antony told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply.

“Some of the reasons for delay in completing these roads are delay in obtaining forest and wildlife clearance. Also many roads pass through high altitude areas where working season and daily working time is limited,” Antony said.

Besides, many roads pass through areas where no labour and good contractors are available.

“Efforts have been made to obtain forest clearances quickly by inter-ministry coordination as well as coordination with the state governments. Cooperation of state governments of Jharkhand and Orissa has been solicited for recruitment of migrant labour from these states,” Antony added.

The government has been trying to revamp infrastructure along the border with China. This includes construction of roads, refurbishment of airfields, deployment of tanks and raising of two more mountain divisions.

But progress has been slow in comparison to the pace of the infrastructural development on the Chinese side of the border.