Walong, Arunachal Pradesh: Efforts to boost air connectivity in Arunachal Pradesh are in full swing with nine helipads already constructed and six more under construction in the Indian Army’s 3 Corps area.
Sources told ThePrint that the idea was to facilitate an ‘air bridge’ — an air route to deliver troops, weapons and logistics from one place to another by means of air transport — in times of need due to poor road connectivity.
They said all seven valleys in the state have been connected with Chinook-specific helipads to ensure aerial connectivity, which is needed for carrying out quick sorties to forward areas in a shorter time.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) currently operates 15 Chinook helicopters procured from the US.
A source, explaining why Chinooks are deployed in the area, said they are a “force multiplier” due to its load-carrying capabilities. The helicopters can carry the Indian Field Gun (IFG), the Light Field Gun (LFG) and the M777 Howitzers in underslung mode, thus enabling transport of firepower to forward areas.
The M777 Howitzers — 155 mm, 39-calibre towed artillery guns, weighing about 4,000 kg — procured from the US, have been deployed in the forward areas of Arunachal Pradesh after a standoff between India and China began along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The Indian Army currently operates the Cheetah, Chetak and Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH). However, none of these can carry as much load as the Chinooks. Earlier, the helipads were constructed with Cheetah and Chetak specifications. Now, the newly-constructed, larger helipads will be able to accommodate Chinooks.
According to sources, the Cheetah and Chetak used for reconnaissance and observation, have the capacity to carry two to three people, while the ALH can carry around 8 to 10 personnel.
The Chinook, though, can carry up to 45 troops and has a load capability of 10 tonnes underslung.
Chinooks will also come in handy for the construction of tracks in forward areas to transport cranes, among other plant machinery.
Sources also said that in times of war, “enemy action” can lead to roads being cut off. During such times, a robust air-transport system will help in creating an air bridge.
Boosting road infra
Other than ramping up infrastructure, the unit deployed in forward areas has been equipped with 31 new weapons and equipment including small arms, such as the 7.62 mm Negev Light Machine Guns, 7.62 mm Sig Sauer, Sako TRG 42 precision rifle and Light Weight RL Mk-IV, a source told ThePrint.
Furthermore, sources said that new generation equipment has been inducted for “augmentation and upgradation” of communication infrastructure. Satellite terminals for remote and forward areas, and portable communication terminals for smooth and seamless communication to forward areas have been inducted by the Army, a source said.
A 3,000-km road infrastructure is also under planning, with construction in some areas — apart from the state’s Kameng area — already under way. The state is divided into Kameng area on the west and then the ‘rest of Arunachal Pradesh’, or RALP.
In addition, 1,750 km of road network for inter-valley connectivity has been approved as part of the Arunachal Frontier Highway, and the Trans Arunachal Highway is almost completed.
Moreover, a number of operational tracks are being undertaken to ensure connectivity in forward areas. A total of 34 new bridges have been constructed in the entire 3 Corps zone while another three are under construction.
(Edited by Tikli Basu)
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