The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) on March 25, 2024, connected the strategic Nimmu-Padam-Darcha road in Ladakh. Spanning 298 km, this road serves as a vital link between Manali and Leh, traversing through Darcha and Nimmu along the Kargil-Leh Highway. Its completion marks the establishment of the third axis connecting Ladakh to the mainland, alongside the Manali-Leh and Srinagar-Leh routes.
The strategic importance of the Nimmu-Padam-Darcha road lies in its efficiency compared to the other two routes, as it is not only shorter but also traverses only one pass, the Shinkun La, standing at 16,558 feet. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is set to commence tunnel work on this pass, ensuring all-weather connectivity to the Ladakh region. This enhanced connectivity not only bolsters defense preparedness but also promises to catalyze economic development in the Zanskar valley.
The BRO, plans are underway to construct the Shinkun La Pass Tunnel, measuring 4.25 km in length, to link Lahaul in Himachal Pradesh with Zanskar in the Union Territory of Ladakh. Additionally, the project encompasses the construction of 2.5 km of double-lane approach roads with paved shoulders, along with the erection of three major bridges ranging from 100 to 150 meters in length, alongside other associated structures.
Speaking on the progress, Director General of Border Roads, Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan, noted the mobilization of equipment and personnel during January, when the Zanskar River was frozen, facilitating the completion of connectivity establishment. He expressed confidence in the imminent commencement of blacktopping work on the road. With the initiation of construction on the Shinkun La tunnel, the realization of the third all-weather axis to Ladakh is on the horizon, further fortifying the region’s connectivity and accessibility.
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