Work apace on other stretches despite many problems
Shinkun-La Tunnel to be completed in Aug 2028
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Mar 17: Despite encountering numerous difficulties, the Border Roads Organization (BRO) is leaving no stone unturned to develop strategically important roads and this is evident from the fact that over 1250 kilometers road length has been constructed along the Indo-China border in the Union Territory of Ladakh and work is apace on several other stretches.
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This has been revealed in the report of the Standing Committee on Defence tabled in both the Houses of the Parliament today.
“The BRO is mainly developing strategically important roads along the borders of the country. The key projects include Indo-China Border Roads (Phase-I & II), construction of Shinkun La Tunnel (4.1 km), Nyoma-Mudh airfield in UT of Ladakh etc”, the report said, adding adequate budgetary support has been made in Budget Estimates (BE) 2025-26 for the current projects being undertaken by the BRO in the cold desert region and other areas.
Regarding the status of Indo-China Border Roads, the Committee has observed, “as per the revised five-year Long-Term Roll-on Works Plan (LTRoWP), out of 476 roads of length 22156 km identified by the Army for construction and improvement, 36 roads of length 1895.01 km are in the State of Uttarakhand, 67 roads of length 3604.32 km are in UT of Ladakh”.
As far as Union Territory of Ladakh is concerned, under Phase-1, a total of 12 roads were approved with length of 1099.02 kilometers. Of these roads, 11 have been completed and work is apace on the remaining one. Likewise, under Phase-II, four roads having length of 173.38 kilometers were approved and one has been completed so far and work is going on the remaining three.
As per the written submission of Ministry of Defence, the BRO is encountering problems like hard rock stretches, limited working season, difficulties in availability of construction material, diversion of resources due to natural disasters, time consumed in land acquisition and forest-wildlife clearance, non-availability of local labour and non-participation of reputed contractors due to remoteness of the areas etc.
Apart from being strategically important from defence point of view these roads are also contributing a lot in increasing tourists’ footfall and boosting economy of local people. This can be gauged from the submission made by the Director General Border Roads Organization to the Standing Committee regarding the road leading to Pangong Lake.
“As per our opinion, the present condition of the road is good and adequate funds have been provided for the rehabilitation. The tourism has increased in the area as earlier two days-time was consumed to reach and come back from Pangong Lake and now people cover the distance to and fro in one day because of good condition of the road”, read the submission.
“This is not only strategic road but also helps in boosting economy and benefitting citizens of the area and the maintenance of this road will remain our priority in future”, the DG BRO conveyed to the Standing Committee.
About the Shinkun-La Tunnel, which aims to provide all weather connectivity to Leh, the DG Border Roads Organization submitted, “Project Design and Construction (PDC) of the tunnel will be completed in August 2028 and as per the contract four years time has been given. The work is going on strictly as per the fixed milestones”.
The south portal of the tunnel is in Himachal Pradesh and north portal is in Padam area of Zanskar. “The major work will begin in May this year as Shinkun-La is presently under massive snow”, the Standing Committee was apprised.
It is pertinent to mention here that Shinkun-La tunnel is crucial for strategic and defence purposes, streamlining the transportation of heavy machinery to strategic locations like Kargil and Siachen and reducing travel distances. The tunnel will be at an altitude of 15,800 feet making it the world’s highest tunnel.
The tunnel will ensure year-round connectivity to Ladakh, even during heavy snowfall, which currently cuts off the Zanskar Valley; reduce the distance between Manali and Leh by 60 km; significantly improve connectivity and security in the region, benefit both the civilian population and the armed forces and improved connectivity will boost commerce and tourism in the Zanskar Valley.
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