India Strengthens Himalayan Infrastructure to Counter China: Roads, Tunnels, and Airstrips in the Making

New Delhi, India: India is rapidly upgrading its military infrastructure in the Himalayas in response to potential future conflicts with China. Tens of millions of dollars are being invested in constructing new roads, tunnels, and airstrips to ensure rapid troop movement and logistical support along the disputed Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The 2020 deadly clash with China exposed critical shortcomings in India’s ability to supply its troops along the 2,200-mile-long border. While China had long established a strong network of roads and railways in its border regions, India lagged in connecting its high-altitude posts.

During the 2020 clash, Indian and Chinese soldiers engaged in hand-to-hand combat at altitudes of 14,000 feet, with Chinese troops able to reach the area within hours, whereas Indian reinforcements took up to a week due to poor infrastructure.

“A Major Strategic Shift”

Former Major General Amrit Pal Singh, ex-Chief of Operational Logistics in Ladakh, emphasized that the clash triggered a major rethink of India’s strategy. “It made us realize the need to change our entire approach toward border preparedness,” he said.

Lt. Gen. Deependra Singh Hudda, former Northern Command Chief, noted that the projects aim to link remote military outposts with civilian settlements, especially in areas cut off during harsh winters. One of the most ambitious projects is the Zoji La Tunnel, being built at nearly 11,500 feet in Northern India. The $750 million tunnel project started immediately after the 2020 border clash and is expected to be completed in two years. Once operational, it will facilitate year-round supply to posts that are often inaccessible for six months due to heavy snowfall.

Currently, supplies are transported by trucks and trains to neighboring depots in Jammu and Kashmir, then by convoys to Leh. From there, smaller vehicles, porters, and mules carry essential supplies over treacherous terrain at altitudes exceeding 20,000 feet. Each post requires around 100 kg of supplies per soldier per month, including food, clothing, and daily essentials, while a 30-soldier post consumes roughly 13 gallons of fuel daily.

Cutting Travel Time and Improving Logistics

The Zoji La Tunnel will reduce travel time by several hours and enable continuous movement of supplies. Over 1,000 construction workers are laboring under extreme conditions, where temperatures can drop to minus 40°F, and engineers are tackling the challenge of providing proper ventilation for both workers and diesel-powered military vehicles.

Construction of roads and facilities has accelerated around Pangong Tso Lake, a hotspot of past clashes, following the 2020 Galwan Valley conflict. According to Rajeshwari Pillai Rajagopalan, Senior Fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, China completed a bridge last year connecting the northern and southern shores of the lake, enabling its troops to bypass long detours.

India’s Determination

These efforts highlight India’s commitment to national security and preparedness for any confrontation with China. Strengthened infrastructure in the Himalayan region will allow faster deployment of troops and ensure timely delivery of essential supplies — addressing a major challenge exposed during past border conflicts.