The recent move by the Ayodhya Development Authority (ADA) to de-notify the land used for firing practice has evoked sharp reactions from several quarters. Representational file image. | Photo credit: Nagara Gopal
The Army’s field firing range near Ayodhya, which falls in the flight path of the under-construction airport, has become unsafe for use, Army sources said. Regarding cancellation of recent range notification,
There is a blueprint for transfer of defence land, in which infrastructure is developed on the same land or of similar value or any other suitable land parcel by the government agency acquiring the land. The same process is being followed in the case of Army land in Ayodhya, sources said. The Army is soon going to get a new high-altitude firing range in the eastern sector.
The recent move by the Ayodhya Development Authority (ADA) to de-notify the land used for firing practice evoked sharp reactions from several quarters after it was alleged that several high-profile individuals have acquired land there.
In another development, 10 more cantonments have been identified for de-notification. Civil areas in these areas will be carved out and merged with nearby state municipalities, a process that began last year.
The 10 cantonments to be de-notified are Ajmer, Babina, Clementown, Deolali, Dehradun, Fatehgarh, Nasirabad, Mathura, Ramgarh and Shahjahanpur. However, sources said that no time limit has been set for this due to the complexities of the process.
According to the Defence Ministry, the aim of denotifying civil areas of cantonments is to bring uniformity in the municipal laws governing them and adjoining municipal areas. Accordingly, the broad modalities proposed for denotifying civil areas in 58 cantonments have been shared with the respective state governments for their comments, the ministry had informed Parliament last year. Yol Cantonment in Himachal Pradesh has already been denotified with effect from April 27, 2023.
Drones and Mules
On the logistics front, the Army is in the process of inducting robotic mules and load carrying drones to replace animal transport, which have played a vital role in carrying loads to forward areas for decades, an Army source said.
“Last-mile connectivity in hilly areas is gradually shifting from animal transport to trucks. All-terrain and rough terrain vehicles have been introduced due to significant improvement in border infrastructure,” the source said. “We may replace animal transport to some extent. Cargo drones are being introduced and robotic mules are being tested.”
Sources said animal transport has been cut down, but military dogs play an indispensable role in warfare, whether it is counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism or conventional operations. “We continue to invest in the breeding, training and deployment of man’s best friend,” the source said.
Apart from German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois and Labrador, the Army’s Remount and Veterinary Corps (RVC) has inducted local breeds like Mudhol Hound, Chippiparai, Rajapalayam and has also tried Rampur Hound. These dogs are trained for various roles – attack dogs, guard dogs, tracking, infantry patrolling, explosive detection, mine detection, narcotics detection, avalanche rescue operations and search and rescue operations. There is also significant technology absorption to enhance the efficacy of military dogs during operations and training, the source said.
Green measures
The Army has launched the Waste Free Army campaign to achieve landfill-free military stations. The source quoted above said, “Aligning itself with industry best practices and award-winning municipal ecosystems in Indore, the Indian Army plans to make all its 306 military stations landfill-free in the next five years.” The Army has also set up 68 solar projects, including at the Siachen Base Camp.
The Army is in the process of setting up a green hydrogen plant to power the military cantonment at Chushul in eastern Ladakh and partnering with the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) to introduce green hydrogen buses in Leh. Indian Oil Corporation Limited has already been roped in to introduce green hydrogen buses at the Army headquarters.
“The 200 MW hydrogen plant at Chushul Garrison will replace the diesel generators that currently provide power to our troops. The MoU is in the final stages of being signed,” the source said.
Issues relating to land, housing and environment for Army establishments, transportation, supplies and all aspects relating to fuel, oil and lubricants and livestock, among others, are handled by the Quartermaster General’s Branch.