Ladakh: For soldiers’ better protection, Army initiates process to construct living bunkers along LAC

NHIDCL floats tenders for Rs 17.9 cr project to be executed along 3 different axes from Durbuk

Jammu: Amid continued border faceoff with China, the Indian Army has started the process of constructing underground OR (Office-cum-Residential) living bunkers to provide better protection to front-line soldiers guarding the country’s strategic border with China in the Ladakh sector.
For this, the Army has entrusted the task of constructing at-least 20 underground OR Living Bunkers and four underground TAC headquarters along the three different axes from Durbuk in the Union Territory of Ladakh in the first phase to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) that has floated online tenders for construction of these bunkers and other infrastructure for soldiers in the strategically-located Durbuk region.,
The 20 underground OR living bunkers and four underground TAC headquarters are to be built with an estimated cost of Rs 17.90 crore within 18 months (including six months of non-working period) from the date of start of work along the three different axes from Durbuk in the UT of Ladakh. The major challenge for NHIDCL is the construction of these structures in terrain more than 12500 ft from sea level and these locations are in remote areas in the proximity to border (LAC)
The structure of each bunker will be capable of withstanding Artillery shelling and RL firing, while the internal walls will be insulated to maintain normal temperature inside the bunkers.
Sources said the executing agency has reportedly been asked to create underground facilities for the storage of ammunition at forward locations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), to strengthen its capabilities in the sensitive sector at a time of a lingering border standoff with China.
“This work is of strategic importance. The focus is now being laid on the construction of permanent defences and other infrastructure to improve defence preparedness in the strategically important Ladakh region,” sources said.
“These structures will be very strong and can withstand a direct hit from a tank shell. All possible facilities to be made to the soldiers deployed in the region,” sources said, adding that the Army has been scaling up infrastructure in Ladakh Union Territory in a phased manner against the backdrop of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) ramping up infrastructure across LAC after the border standoff erupted in May 2020.
Pertinently, Durbuk and Nyoma are used by the Army as staging areas for moving troops, armour and supplies in the Galwan-Shyok and Chushul-Demchok axes.
According to NHIDCL’s Request for Proposal (RFP) document, the work includes the construction of underground OR living bunkers having inner dimensions of 15-m x 5-m x 3.5-m with height of 3.5-m above Finished Floor Level (FFL) and thickness of all walls will be 450mm with necessary excavation to be carried out.
“The four underground TAC headquarters will have a staircase, toilet facilities, drainage and retaining wall. All the facilities shall be designed in a winter-friendly manner and are to be designed for a temperature range of minus 35 degrees Celsius in winters to 30 degrees Celsius in summers as per the accessible Indian campaign to make it usable and suitable for physically challenged or persons with disability or differently-abled persons,” the RFP document said.
The Army’s Headquarters-3 Infantry Division will provide funds to the NHIDCL for the execution of the project.

Updated On 1/25/2024 1:59:33 AM