Survey, clearances in advanced stage
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Nov 12: All the border posts along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China in Leh district will have round-the-clock grid-based electricity by the middle of 2027, marking a major milestone in strengthening infrastructure and improving living conditions for security forces deployed in some of the world’s most inhospitable terrains.
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Official sources told EXCELSIOR that the preliminary exercise for the ambitious electrification project is nearing completion, with the survey of the proposed transmission lines and mandatory clearances especially from the Wildlife Department in the advanced stage. The project, once completed, will replace the dependence of border posts on diesel generators and solar-based systems with a sustainable and uninterrupted power supply from the main grid, they added.
Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) will execute the electrification work in a majority of the identified areas along the LAC, while the Ladakh Power Development Department (LPDD) will take charge of electrifying the Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) posts located in the Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) sector, one of the most strategically critical zones of the Union Territory of Ladakh.
“The PGCIL, which has been awarded the work under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), has almost completed the survey for the transmission lines and even obtained clearance from the Wildlife Department in certain areas. However, for the rest of the areas, the exercise is on”, sources said.
The Ladakh Power Development Department has presented proposals for the electrification of Army and ITBP border posts in the DBO sector through grid connectivity. “From Nubra to Shyok, a 220 KVA power transmission line and from Shyok to DBO, a 66 KVA line will be laid. The PGCIL as well as the Ladakh Power Development Department will begin work on the ground from early next year because of extreme winter conditions at present”.
Disclosing that a timeline of December 2026 has been fixed for the electrification of border posts, sources said, “there are remote chances of meeting this time frame because of time being consumed in obtaining clearances”, adding, “all the border posts will be completely electrified through grid connectivity by the middle of 2027”.
They described the initiative as a strategic and logistical breakthrough for the high-altitude regions of Ladakh, which remain cut off for several months during winter. Many forward posts situated at altitudes above 16,000 feet currently face extreme weather, sub-zero temperatures and limited accessibility. The proposed electrification will not only improve communication and surveillance systems but also enhance the comfort and operational readiness of troops stationed in these challenging conditions.
The DBO sector, located along the LAC with China, hosts India’s highest operational airstrip and multiple defence establishments. Grid-based electricity in this area is expected to significantly boost operational efficiency by supporting high-power equipment and modern monitoring systems.
The proposal for grid connectivity in the DBO sector was formally presented by the Ladakh Power Development Department during a high-level review meeting chaired by Prince Dhawan, Executive Director of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). The meeting reviewed a range of ongoing power sector initiatives in the Union Territory, including progress under Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
Dhawan lauded the LPDD for taking the initiative and emphasized the strategic importance of providing sustainable power to the nation’s frontier regions. He directed officials to expedite inter-departmental coordination and obtain the necessary clearances to ensure that the project moves swiftly into the implementation phase.
He also appreciated the department’s efforts to align the project with India’s larger vision of energy security and infrastructure enhancement in border areas, noting that the successful electrification of such remote outposts would symbolize both technological advancement and national resolve.
During the review meeting, Dhawan also examined the Border Area Package for Nubra and Changthang, which is being executed by turnkey contractor GEPDEC. He assessed the status of the upstream power network and took note of the upcoming 220 kV transmission system of Nubra, which will serve as a vital link for connecting remote villages and military establishments to the main grid.
The meeting also covered discussions on modernizing Ladakh’s power sector through the Unified Billing System (UBS) and smart metering initiatives under the Special Development Package (SDP). Officials informed that proposals have been submitted for the installation of smart meters for the remaining 18,279 consumers across the Union Territory.
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