India Clears Strategic Road Projects to Strengthen Border Defense in Ladakh

India has moved forward with strategic infrastructure development in Ladakh by clearing five essential road projects, one of which is a critical link to Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO), the country’s northernmost military outpost near the China border. The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) approved these projects despite their passage through the Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary, which necessitated safeguards for wildlife in the area. The new routes will improve troop mobility and supply lines, especially in the event of hostilities with China. Among the most significant projects is the construction of a road linking Durbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie (DS-DBO) with Saser-Brangsa-Gapshan at an altitude of 17,000 feet, enhancing connectivity to remote areas near the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The Indian government has emphasized the strategic importance of these routes, particularly in light of the 2020 clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley. To mitigate the environmental impact, the Ministry of Defence has committed to implementing animal passage plans, ensuring that road construction does not endanger wildlife in the region.