Ladakh road project halted due to absence of approval: SM Krishna

The government today said the construction of a road in Ladakh region under NREGA was halted because it did not have the Centre's approval.

"Such construction in the proximity of the International Boundary (IB) or in the proximity of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) cannot be undertaken without approvals from the Central government.

"In the absence of such approvals, work on the NREGA road in Ladakh was halted," external affairs minister SM Krishna told the Rajya Sabha in reply to a written question.

Krishna also said the government was aware that China was developing the infrastructure in the border regions in Tibet and Xinjiang Autonomous Regions.

This includes the Qinghai-Tibet Railway line, with proposed extension up to Xigaze and Nyingchi, and development of road and airport facilities, he said.

"The government keeps a constant watch on all developments having a bearing on India's security and takes all necessary measures to safeguard it," Krishna said.

He said government was also giving careful and special attention to the development of infrastructure in the border areas opposite China, in order to meet our strategic and security requirements and also to facilitate the economic development of these areas. This includes Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.