Indian Army to build air base in Dooars

[Sridhar]

The Indian Army is all set to come up with an air base in strategically located North Bengal.

The Army has identified 750 acres of land near Damdim in the Dooars in Jalpaiguri district and has sought the state government's help in acquiring 250 acres of land.

A high level meeting was held in Siliguri chaired by North Bengal development minister Goutam Deb where senior army officers led by Lt General AJ Singh, the GOC of 33 Corps was present.

Talking to reporters, Deb said the army requires 750 acres of land for the base at Shaugaon near Damdim.

The army is already in possession of 500 acres of land and has sought the state's government's help to acquire the rest.

Deb said the state government would help the army as land can always be acquired for national interest.

The minister added that the army has also sought help in constructing an alternative road connecting Sikkim with the rest of the country via Gorubathan, Lava, Algara and Pedong.

The proposed base comes at a time when China has improved rail and road links to Nathula border.

The new road and the base would help Indian army to increase mobility in a region bordering China, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.

The army is also likely to set up a modern armoury near its proposed air base.

North Bengal has three air force bases at Hashimara, Binnaguri and Bagdogra.

Unlike the Chinese move to expand railway connectivity up to Sino-India border near Nathula, the proposed Rs. 1339.46 crore Sevoke-Rangpo railway, the foundation for which was laid on October 30 2009, is gathering dust.

Vice-President Mohammed Hamid Ansari laid the foundation stone in presence of Mamata Banerjee the then railway minister and chief minister of Sikkim Pawan Chamling.

The 52.70 km long rail connectivity from Sevoke near Siliguri, to Rangpo in Sikkim is yet to get clearance from the union ministry of environment and forest.

The state government has been accusing the Centre of delaying the project.

The railway survey up to Nathula has been completed.
Indian Army to build air base in Dooars - Hindustan Times

 

[Kunal Biswas]

This is interesting, Army making its own airbases ..

Perhaps in future LCH would be using these bases to patrol ..

 

[sob]

Why does the Army need 1000 acres for an air base to operate helicopters. or they want capability for IAF to land C 17 or C 130 and lift soldiers directly from their base.

 

[Sridhar]

May be for this.

The army is also likely to set up a modern armoury near its proposed air base

 

[drkrn]

what can be a modern armoury?

 

[TrueSpirit]

Excellent development in view of ongoing disturbances on both East & West frontiers. Although, details about the objectives behind the move would help.

 

[Virendra]

Are we sure of retaining this base in war times? I mean it is bound to be close to the 20 km wide chicken's neck (Siliguri corridor) we have. I'm certain that we'll see action in that corridor.

 

[TrueSpirit]

Are we sure of retaining this base in war times? I mean it is bound to be close to the 20 km wide chicken's neck (Siliguri corridor) we have. I'm certain that we'll see action in that corridor.

That is supposed to be the idea, IMHO; defending chicken's neck enclave. Others can chime in...

 

[Sridhar]

 

[Virendra]

Didn't realize this was "in" the corridor itself. Thanks.
This will make more sense, better if we can move mechanized armour in this area.
Terrain should provide good natural defense.

 

[arnabmit]

Why does the Army need 1000 acres for an air base to operate helicopters. or they want capability for IAF to land C 17 or C 130 and lift soldiers directly from their base.

Sukna/Sevok Forrest is the home to 33 Corps of the Eastern Command. It comprises three mountain divisions, 17th (Gangtok), 20th (Binaguri), and 27th (Kalimpong) and an Artillery Brigade.The total troop strength of the 33 Corps is estimated to be between 45,000 and 60,000 soldiers.

Nothing is visible on google maps because everything is under cover of thick foliage of Sal trees. They are spread over a huge land and in such a way that enemy air attacks would hardly any effect unless wave after wave of bombers do carpet bombing.

 

[arnabmit]

Are we sure of retaining this base in war times? I mean it is bound to be close to the 20 km wide chicken's neck (Siliguri corridor) we have. I'm certain that we'll see action in that corridor.

No, it is not. Here is the location: https://maps.google.com/maps?q=26.818020,88.566628&t=h&z=14

 

[arnabmit]

The green circle? That is the wrong location for this base mentioned in OP.

 

[W.G.Ewald]

This is interesting, Army making its own airbases ..

Perhaps in future LCH would be using these bases to patrol ..

Here is a US Army airfield in North Carolina.

Simmons Army Airfield

It supports 3rd Battalion, 160th Aviation Regiment (Special Operations) (Airborne)

3rd Battalion, 160th Aviation Regiment (Special Operations) (Airborne)

Pope AAF occupies the space formerly Pope AFB:

https://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf...78643&ei=KosbUpePGJPS8wTc_oHIDg&ved=0CJgBEPwS

 

[Kunal Biswas]

LCH & AH-64E ..

Dedicated PARA base with C-130J at any time ..

Kinda GI-JOE stuff ..

what can be a modern armoury?

 

[Sridhar]

The green circle? That is the wrong location for this base mentioned in OP.

That green circle is not by me , it was there in the Map itself. Seems to be District Boundary. Got it from this site Welcome to Cooch Behar

 

[arnabmit]

The Freepress Journal

Army to raise armoured corps in WB

Wants 200 acres of land, Bengal CM silent on demand

Kolkata : Following frequent incursions by China violating the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Indian Army is planning to set up an armoured corps base in north Bengal.

Following intelligence reports and Chinese activity along the LAC, the Indian Army has marked parts of north Bengal and north-east region of the country, particularly Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims as its own territory, as a 'sensitive zone'.

A senior army official recently met West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee after she came down to Siliguri from the hills of Darjeeling and asked for 200 acres of land next to the Binaguri army cantonment in north Bengal.

He held a closed door meeting with Banerjee and apprised her of the situation and speed up handing over the land to establish an armoured corps division in the area. He stressed the need saying that China was actively increasing its influence in bordering Bhutan and Nepal, according to military intelligence reports.

China, he said, was carrying out many charitable activities and imparting free education through some voluntary organisations next to the LAC, and using them to carry out espionage activities in the region. China is also spending huge sums of money in setting up Buddhist monasteries in the region, he informed Banerjee.

The army plans not only to increase its personnel but also have an armoured crops division with tanks and large number of armoured vehicles.
The Indian Army currently has 63 armoured corps regiments and taking into account China's military plans has also raised the Ladakh Scouts. In view of the recent developments it might raise another armoured corps regiment armed with MBT Arjun tanks and armoured vehicles to be deployed in north Bengal.

Though Banerjee, it was learnt, gave a patient hearing to the senior army official, she kept silent about acquiring land as her government was opposed to take away land from farmers.

However, a defence ministry official here remarked: "Not acquiring land from farmers for industry might be the chief minister's policy for vote bank politics but this is a case of national security. The country's security can never be compromised because of populism.

"We need the land as soon as possible to expand our base as we have been receiving disturbing reports about Chinese activities across the border in this region not only from military intelligence but also from other agencies of the central government," he said.

[map]https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=26.745304,89.069939&spn=0.269494,0.528374&t=h&z=12[/map]

 

[AVERAGE INDIAN]

Army seeks land to set up 2 stations in north Bengal

The Army Monday sought land from West Bengal government to set up two military and air force stations in north Bengal to fortify country's defence in the eastern sector.
The army officials, during the annual civil-military liaison meeting at Nabanna in Howrah, asked the state government for 750 acres of land at Dandim in Jalpaiguri for an Air Force station and 1,000 acres in Kalimpong for military station.

While government delegation was led by Chief Secretary Sanjay Mitra, the army was represented by GOC Bengal Area, Lt Gen AK Choudhary. Later, a press release of the army said, a joint inspection would soon be carried out to identify feasibility of land in North Bengal.

"While the strategic or operational necessity was not debated or discussed, the new land acquisition procedures will be adhered to," the release said.

The army also sought land for establishing a Sainik School at Darjeeling. The Chief Secretary assured the army delegation that the matter was under consideration and a meeting would soon be held between the state government, Union home ministry and the local authorities.

"To enable the existing Sainik School (in Purulia) to get its due from both the Sainik School Society under MoD and the state government, a draft memorandum has been sent to the state government for its consent," the press release further said.''

The army also sought land for NCC Directorate (West Bengal & Sikkim) at Bamchandaipur in lieu of land at Sadhanpur, Burdwan, and another 700 sq yds to set up proper Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) Polyclinics across state.

It was decided that for the time being the government won't shift camps in the Maidan area for sadhus coming for the annual Ganga Sagar yatra. The army is opposed to the camps.

The state government, meanwhile, agreed to increase the financial assistance to World War-II veterans, war widows and gallantry award winners from the state. "The Chief Secretary has agreed to bring it at par with other states," the army said.

The GOC said that this year all vacancies including the ones in technical cadre had been filled up by the youth from the state. Currently, West Bengal has a 7.81 per cent representation in the armed forces, which is substantial, the GOC said.

Earlier, as the meeting began, the Chief Secretary thanked the army on behalf of the administration for rendering timely assistance in the recent river embankment breach in East Midinapore.

Army seeks land to set up 2 stations in north Bengal - Indian Express