Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan app aiming to boost battlefield tourism in the country during the 77th Army Day celebrations, in Pune, Maharashtra on January 15, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Civilians can soon visit battlefield locations along India’s borders, thanks to a newly introduced app and website.
An initiative of the Ministries of Defence and Tourism, as well as the Army, the “Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan” app was launched by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday (January 15, 2025) coinciding with Army Day celebrations.
Locations of the 1962, 1971, and 1999 (Kargil) conflicts, Siachen base camp, and even the site where the Galwan clash of 2020 took place, will be accessible for tourists.
“The Indian Army is transforming border areas and historic battlefields into tourist destinations, offering citizens a chance to witness valour up close. Explore the hallowed grounds where gallant soldiers fought and serve the motherland, even today,” the Army posted on X ahead of the launch.
Places related to the 1962 War, such as Ladakh’s Rezang-La and Arunachal Pradesh’s Kibithoo and Bum-La, Pangong Tso in Ladakh, and the site of the Galwan clash will be opened up. Tourists can also visit Doklam, the site of the 73-day stand-off between India and China in 2017.
Similarly, on the western sector, modalities are being worked out to open some parts of Kargil, Batalik and Drass for trekkers to get a first-hand feel of the Kargil conflict in 1999.
The operational areas will be off-limits but the idea is to open up as much of the forward locations as possible, so that citizens get a feel of the pitched battles that were fought at various locations amid inhospitable terrain and weather, a defence official said.
Tourists can also visit the base camp of Siachen, the world’s highest battlefield, but going beyond could be tough due to challenges in acclimatisation.
Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi said the initiative was part of broader efforts to promote holistic development of border areas and added the website will be a one-stop solution for all information on travelling to historical battleground destinations. He said the initiative would focus on four pillars: infrastructure, communication, tourism, and education.
Published – January 16, 2025 09:06 pm IST