'Felt It Was Occupied, Monitoring The Situation': MEA On Reports Of China Building Bridge At Pangong Tso

The second bridge being built on the Pangong Tso lake on the Chinese side will be used to transport heavy war vehicles like tanks, and armored vehicles very close to the Indian border, reports said.

New Delhi: The Ministry Of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said it was monitoring the situation in eastern Ladakh after reports claimed that China was constructing a second bridge around the strategically key Pangong Tso lake. The new bridge is being built in an area that is 20 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC), sources told ABP News.

"We have seen reports on this bridge or a second bridge. We are monitoring the situation. Probably area that is referred to, we felt it is occupied. Talks are on with the Chinese side," said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi at the weekly media briefing.

The second bridge being built on the Pangong Tso lake on the Chinese side will reportedly be used to transport heavy war vehicles like tanks and armored vehicles very close to the Indian border, reports said. Damien Symon, an analyst who tracks Chinese activities along the Line of Actual Control, posted satellite images of the bridge on Twitter.

"Recent imagery (dated April 29) shows roadworks have begun to join the bridge most likely to Rutog, giving China’s PLA troops in the area quicker connectivity through the terrain," Symon tweeted.

READ | China Constructing Massive 2nd Bridge Near Pangong Tso Lake For Heavier Vehicles: Report

China has recently completed the construction of the first bridge in the area. The second bridge is being developed parallel to the first one and is much bigger and wider.

The satellite image posted by Symon shows that the bridge is being built from both sides simultaneously. The bridge will reduce the distance significantly from the depth area of Rudok to the region around the LAC in Pangong Tso.

"The first bridge is being used by the Chinese to station their cranes and bring over other construction equipment. The new bridge, right next to it, is bigger and wider than the one they finished construction of in April this year," the source told ABP News.

The development comes amid the protracted standoff between the Indian and Chinese militaries at several friction points in eastern Ladakh for over two years.