Roads, bridges and towers: China speeds up infra across Pangong Lake | Exclusive
India Today
China has stepped up efforts to set up transport infrastructure across the Pangong Lake near the Line of Actual Control.
New satellite images sourced by India Today shows ramped up Chinese efforts to set up transport infrastructure across contested Pangong Tso near the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Blacktopping of new wide roads at several places have begun that will connect the southern bank of the lake to the largest nearby PLA position in Rutog.
Newly set up towers by China can also be seen at more than one place. Another unusual feature is an approximately 15 m wide gap in the under-construction bridge that continues to remain there for several weeks despite continuous work at the site. Several new support facilities and structures are being established on the northern bank towards China-controlled area.
Exactly two years ago, the Indian armed forces exploited the slow response of the Chinese and conducted a surprise operation that resulted in gaining control of critical positions on the Kailash heights. Following the partial disengagement from several standoff places, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has started filling those gaps by rapid infrastructure push that includes a causeway across the lake, connecting road network as well as electronic infrastructure.
The gif shows overview of new infrastructure being established by China over Pangong Lake, Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies. (Annotation by Ankit Kumar, India Today)
High resolution satellite imagery captured on Sunday by space firm Maxar Technologies shows several parts of the road on the southern bank already blacktopped by China while work on other parts continues. Heavy earth moving machinery are seen engaged in earthwork and preparing land for further road construction connecting the bridge to the new road network.
The new road network would be capable of carrying heavy military transport at a rapid speed. The infrastructure is believed to be a key part of the Chinese efforts to prevent an August 2020-like situation.
The bridge across the lake that has been under construction for almost a year now continues to remain a work in progress. The structure is being connected to the existing and upcoming road network from both sides. A gap towards the southern end of the under-construction bridge continues to remain unfilled. It is possible that the gap has been left considering the need to service the under-construction bridge from both sides and could be filled in the later stage. It is not yet clear if a passage would be left under for the Chinese assault and patrol boats to pass through the bridge.
