GUWAHATI, JAN 3: In a big boost to the infrastructure development of Arunachal Pradesh, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday inaugurated the Siyom bridge in Arunachal Pradesh’s Siang district along with other 27 infrastructure projects.
This was the first visit of Union Defence minister to Arunachal Pradesh after the recent clash at Tawang sector between Indian army and Chinese PLA.
The 28 projects have been completed at a cost of Rs 724.3 crore to facilitate the quick movement of Indian armed forces along sensitive border areas.
The 100-metre-long steel arch Siyom Bridge is constructed over River Sayom. The bridge is strategically important as it gives the military advantage in deploying troops to the far-flung areas of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Some of the other projects include Basti Bridge, Bhaironghati-Nelong road and Thangu Bridge.
The Centre has taken all possible measures to develop the infrastructure of the bordering areas.
In a statement in Parliament, the Defence Minister said that the Indian Army bravely stopped China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) from encroaching on Indian territory, and forced them to retreat.
“On December 9, 2022, PLA troops tried to transgress the LAC in the Yangtse area of Tawang sector and unilaterally change the status quo. The Chinese attempt was contested by our troops in a firm and resolute manner. The ensuing face-off led to a physical scuffle in which the Indian Army bravely prevented the PLA from transgressing into our territory and compelled them to return to their posts,” Singh said in the Lok Sabha.