India's Ministry of Defence, seeking expansion of road width in the Char Dham Highway project in Uttarakhand state, 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 it attorney 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 roadblocks or slowing down to a dead halt.

The government 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 (or 7.5m in case there is a raised kerb) is necessary to meet the requirement of the Army.

"The very security of the nation is involved and therefore it has become necessary to seek modification of this court order of September 8, 2020," said the application.

The government cited that this order of the top court, that the width of the roads connecting to the border areas cannot exceed 5.5 metres, has serious repercussions on the defence of the country and its security interests.

Three roads covered by this order - Rishikesh to Gangotri, Rishikesh to Mana and Tanakpur to Pithoragarh - lead up to the northern border with China and act as feeder roads.

On September 8, the top court had directed that the width of hilly and mountainous terrains for the Char Dham Highway project to be constructed in accordance with the 2018 circular of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

(IANS)