Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the green signal to construction of India’s highest tunnel with a 'virtual blast' after addressing the 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations in Kargil on July 26.
The 'first blast' was carried out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the construction of the tunnel, that will provide all-weather connectivity between Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Ladakh, during a programme to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas at the Kargil War Memorial, in Dras, on Friday, July 26.
The Border Roads Organisation will build the tunnel between Manali and Leh along the Nimu Padam Darcha Road, at an elevation of 4,800 metres.
This 7.1-km-long twin-tube tunnel, which includes cross passages every 500 meters, is a significant strategic project for the BJP government's border area development plans, particularly in view of ongoing tensions with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
This ambitious project is designed to enhance road connectivity between the Manali-Leh and Kargil-Zanskar highways.
The Shinkun La Tunnel promises all-weather connectivity to the remote Zanskar Valley in Ladakh, a region often cut off for several months due to heavy snowfall.
Strategically, the tunnel is a critical asset to India's defence infrastructure. It provides a reliable and quick route to the border areas in Ladakh, facilitating faster mobilisation of troops, equipment, and supplies.
This enhancement is particularly crucial given the ongoing border tensions with China, significantly improving the Indian Army's operational capabilities in the region.
The tunnel will drastically reduce travel time between Manali and Leh, as well as between Kargil and Zanskar.
The tunnel will bypass regions that are typically covered with 15-20 feet of snow for nearly five months, which often hampers connectivity.
As an all-weather tunnel, it is expected to reduce travel time across the Shinkun area to just 30 minutes, significantly boosting social and economic development in both Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh.
Previously, supplies to remote defence posts often required expensive air transport or long, difficult overland routes, especially during winter. The tunnel will streamline logistics, leading to lower transportation costs.
Air transport to remote areas like Ladakh can cost between Rs 8 lakh to 12.5 lakh per metric tonne, whereas overland transport through the Shinkun La Tunnel is expected to be significantly cheaper at Rs 1.5 lakh to 3 lakh per metric tonne.
This switch could save the Indian Army approximately Rs 67 crore to 108 crore annually when transporting 1,000 metric tonnes of supplies.
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