Daulat Baig Oldi
India has been rapidly strengthening the infrastructure on its border since the tension between the forces of India and China in the Galwan Valley in 2020. Especially India is building a new 130 km long road to further secure access to strategic areas like Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) of Ladakh.
This road passes through Sasoma -Saser La -Saser Brangsa -Gapshan -DBO. It is making it Border Rhodes Organization (BRO). This new road is not only fast and safe, but it will also be saved from the eyes of the Chinese army. Come, let’s understand why this road is so special?
What is Daulat Baig Oldi (DBO) and why is it so important?
Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) is the most northern military base in India, which is just 8 km from Karakoram Pass in Ladakh and just 8 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC). This area is part of the sub-sector North (SSN), which consists of strategic areas such as Depsang Maidan and Siachen Glacier.
DBO has the world’s highest airstrip (aerustrip), which is at an altitude of 16614 feet. With this help, it is easy to deliver weapons, logistics and soldiers to the Indian Army by air.
But the only way to reach DBO was still a Darbook-Sashuk-DSDBO road, which is 255 km long. This road passes very close to LAC, due to which it remains under the supervision of the Chinese Army (PLA).
This DSDBO road was a major reason for the 2020 tension in the Galwan Valley, as China felt threatened by this road in India. That is why India decided to build a new alternative road, which is not only safe, but also fast.
New road: way from Sasoma to DBO
This new 130 km long road starts from Sasoma, which is near Siachen Base Camp in Nubra Valley. This road goes to Saser La (17,660 ft), Sasser Brangsa, Gapshan and then DBO. Its special things are…
Distance and time reduction: Right now, reaching DBO, one has to travel 322 km from Leh, which takes about 2 days. The new road distance will be reduced by 79 km to 243 km and the time of travel will be reduced to 11-12 hours.
Chinese eye prevention: DSDBO road is very close to LAC. The Chinese army can easily see it. The way to the new road is such that it will be saved from sugar monitoring in most parts, which will protect the movement of soldiers and weapons.
Happiness of heavy weapons: BRO has built 9 bridges on this road, which was earlier built to bear 40 tons of weight. Now they are being upgraded up to a capacity of 70 tonnes. This means that heavy cannons, such as Bofors and tanks will be able to reach DBO easily. Bofors cannons have also been successfully tested on this road.
Direct access to Siachen: This road starts from Sasoma, which is near the Siachen Base Camp. With this, soldiers and weapons can be sent directly from Siachen to DBO, without leh.
How is this road being built?
Making this road is not an easy task. At a height of more than 17,000 feet, where oxygen deficiency and heavy snowfall are common. 2000 workers of BRO are working hard day and night. This project is divided into two parts…
Project Vijayak: The share from Sasoma to Sasser Brangsa, whose budget is Rs 300 crore. This part has been completely formed.
Project Limit: The share from Saser Brangsa to DBO, whose budget is Rs 200 crore. 70% of this part has been completed. The rest will end by November 2026.
The most difficult part is the area near Suser La Pass and Shyok River. Making roads between glaciers and steep rocks here is a big challenge. For this, BRO is using modern techniques like Geosel, which makes the road strong for weather and heavy weight. A 345 -meter long bridge is also being built on the Shyok river, in which seven pillars are being used.
Oxygen cafes and other challenges
It is not easy to work at such a height. Lack of oxygen in areas like Saser La has difficulty in breathing. Due to snowfall, only 5-6 months in a year can be done.
BRO has created oxygen cafes to protect the workers and increase the pace of work. These are small stations, where the workers are given oxygen so that they can avoid Altitude sickness.
Apart from this, there are also plans to make an 8 km long tunnel in Saser La. Its detailed project report (DPR) has been prepared. Work can start this year. This tunnel can be prepared by 2028, which will make access to DBO easier even in winter.
Why is this road important?
In 2020, there was a violent clash between the forces of India and China in the Galwan Valley, in which soldiers on both sides were killed. A major cause of this tension was DSDBO road, which is so close to LAC that the Chinese army can easily target it. In areas like Galwan Valley and Deppasang, China’s PLA has built roads and hideouts, which are a threat to India. There will be many benefits due to the construction of the new road…
Security: This road is away from the eyes of the Chinese army, so that the movement of soldiers and weapons will remain secret.
Rapid: The time from Leh to DBO will be half, so that soldiers and logistics will be able to reach rapidly.
heavy weapons: Due to bridges with a capacity of 70 tons, heavy weapons like tanks and bofors will be able to reach DBO easily.
Security of Siachen and Depsang: DBO and Depsang are also strategically essential for Siachen Glacier. If this area goes into the possession of China or Pakistan, then it can be difficult to protect Siachen.
Other Projects: India’s complete preparation
The new road of DBO is part of India’s big infrastructure plan. Other than this…
Nyoma Airbase: A new fighter jet airbase in Nyoma will be ready by October 2025 at a height of 13,700 feet in Ladakh. It will operate jets like Rafael, Sukhoi-30 and Tejas.
Shinku la tunnel: It will be the highest tunnel in the world (15,800 feet), which will connect Manali to Leh. Its work will start soon.
Arunachal Frontier Highway: 1,637 km long this highway will connect 12 districts near LAC, which will make the movement of soldiers and the lives of the local people easier.
Sela Tunnel: In Arunachal, this tunnel will help the soldiers to reach LAC faster.
China’s challenge and India’s answer
China has strengthened its roads, airstrips and hideouts near LAC. He has built a new bridge over Pangong Lake, which helps in deploying his army faster. But India is also not far behind. BRO’s budget has doubled since 2020. More than 300 projects have been completed. New roads, bridges and tunnels are giving India the strength to match China.
What is the future?
The new road of DBO will be fully ready by 2026. After becoming a tunnel in Saser La, this path will be open throughout the year. This road will not only strengthen India’s army, but will also open the way of development for local people in areas like Ladakh and Siachen.
Tensions like Operation Sindoor and Galwan have taught India that strong infrastructure on the border is the biggest weapon. These new roads and other projects will not only make India safe, but will also show the world that India is now ready to answer any challenge.