China border situation sensitive, need wider Char Dham highway: Govt

New Delhi, Dec 2 The Ministry of Defence, seeking expansion of road width in the Chardham highway project in Uttarakhand, told the Supreme Court that situation on the ground at the India-China border has changed significantly this year and it has become imperative that men and equipment should move swiftly from army stations to the frontier.

"The security of the state itself is in jeopardy especially in the background of today's sensitive situation existing at the Chinese border," the Ministry said in an application, filed through advocate Rajat Nair.

Emphasising on widening the road, the application added that the movement would involve trucks carrying troops and equipment, and when the vehicles are returning from the border, they should be able to cross the vehicles going in the opposite direction without causing road-blocks or slowing down to a dead halt.

The Centre said the roads should have the capacity to facilitate the movement of heavy vehicles carrying troops, self-propelled artillery and various machinery required by the Army.

Against the backdrop of prevailing conditions on the border, it said the need for wider roads with double land configuration is felt to enable faster mobilisation of troops, guns and specialist weapon systems to the border areas.

The ministry said a double lane road having a carriageway width of 7 meters

( With inputs from IANS )