Modi will do the first blast for Shinku La
The Shinku La tunnel in Ladakh aims to provide all-weather connectivity from Manali in Himachal Pradesh to Leh through the Nimmu-Padam-Darcha axis. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Friday conduct the “first blast” for the Shinku La tunnel in Ladakh that aims to provide all-weather connectivity from Manali to Leh through the Nimmu-Padam-Darcha axis, officials aware of the matter said.
The “first blast” is significant as it marks the beginning of the construction of the tunnel. Modi will do it remotely from the Kargil War Memorial in Drass, where he will pay tribute to Indian soldiers on the 25th anniversary of the war with Pakistan.
The tunnel is expected to be completed in four years
Located at an altitude of 15,800 feet, the tunnel, which is expected to be completed in four years, will be the highest tunnel in the world, even higher than China’s 15,590-feet Mila tunnel. The construction of the tunnel will boost military mobility and logistics support for forces deployed in the Ladakh sector, as the Nimmu-Padum-Darcha road will provide a third connectivity option to Ladakh. Connectivity between Nimmu and Darcha was achieved in March 2024 and the road is being blacktopped, HT reported.
The development comes at a time when the military standoff between India and China in eastern Ladakh has entered its fifth year, with no sign of resolution of pending issues along the disputed Line of Actual Control (LAC). India, however, is hopeful that the ongoing talks will help restore the status quo of April 2020.
Long Shinku La tunnel between Manali and Leh
The 4.1 km long Shinku La tunnel will reduce the distance between Manali and Leh by 60 km, reducing it from 355 km to 295 km. It will be an alternative to the Manali-Leh and the traditional Srinagar-Leh route. The Nimmu-Padum-Darcha road is strategically important as it is shorter than the other two axes, and crosses only one pass – the 16,615-feet high Shinku La.
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has completed 330 projects at a cost of ₹8,737 crore in the last three years and significantly improved the strategic mobility of the Indian armed forces along the border with China. It is on the verge of completing an ambitious project to provide the much-needed alternate connectivity to Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO), India’s northernmost military base near the LAC.
Construction of 130 km long road
The construction of a 130 km long road from Sasoma in Nubra Valley to DBO near the Karakoram Pass is in its final stages. The existing 255 km long Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie (DS-DBO) road passes close to the LAC. Sasoma and Darbuk can be reached from Leh by two different road routes.
India’s drive to boost border infrastructure has been focused on rapid implementation of strategic projects, increased spending and adoption of technology and techniques to support military operations. The BRO, which is at the center of this drive, has been given a capital expenditure of Rs 6,500 crore in the defense budget for 2024-25. This is 30% more than the allocation for FY 2023-24 and 160% more than FY 2021-22.
Ongoing military standoff between India and China in eastern Ladakh
The construction of the Shinku La tunnel comes amid the ongoing military standoff between India and China in eastern Ladakh, which has now entered its fifth year. Despite ongoing talks aimed at restoring the status quo ante along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the situation remains unresolved.
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO), responsible for the construction, has recently completed 330 projects costing ₹8,737 crore in the last three years, significantly increasing strategic mobility along the border with China. Additionally, the BRO is nearing completion of a crucial 130-km-long road connecting Sasoma in the Nubra Valley to Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO), India’s northernmost military base near the LAC. The project aims to provide an alternate route to the existing Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie (DS-DBO) road, which runs close to the LAC.
India’s focus on strengthening border infrastructure has led to a substantial increase in defence spending and strategic project execution. The BRO’s capital allocation for FY 2024-25 is ₹6,500 crore, representing a 30% increase over the previous year and 160% compared to two years ago. This increase in funding underlines the government’s commitment to enhance border infrastructure and support military operations.
Conclusion
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to launch the construction work of the Shinku La tunnel in Ladakh on Friday, marking its start with a symbolic “first blast”. The ceremony will be held remotely from the Kargil War Memorial in Drass, where Modi will also honour Indian soldiers on the 25th anniversary of the Kargil War.
The Shinku La tunnel, which is expected to be completed in four years, will become the world’s highest tunnel at an altitude of 15,800 ft, surpassing China’s Mila tunnel which is at an altitude of 15,590 ft. The tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity between Manali and Leh through the Nimmu-Padum-Darcha axis, enhancing military mobility and logistics support in the Ladakh region.
