The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is embarking on a monumental task – commencing the construction of the Shinkun La Tunnel. Once completed, this engineering marvel will stand as the world’s highest tunnel, surpassing the Mila Tunnel in China. The project was announced by Director General, Border Roads Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan, on the occasion of the BRO’s 65th Raising Day, marking a significant milestone in infrastructure development.
The Shinku La Tunnel, a 4.1 km long motorable tunnel, will bridge the gap between the Lahaul Valley in Himachal Pradesh and the Zanskar Valley in Ladakh. As part of Project Yojak, a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) initiative, it will transform the Manali-Leh route into an all-year accessible pathway. The tunnel, expected to be completed by 2025, will not only be a testament to human engineering but also a gateway to enhanced connectivity and development.
The tunnel will provide all-weather road connectivity to Ladakh and will be the shortest route to the border areas of the Union territory. It will also be the shortest, safest, and third alternative corridor for the armed forces for forward areas of Ladakh. The project aims to streamline the transportation of heavy machinery to strategic locations such as Kargil, Siachen, and the Line of Control (LOC). The Shinku La or Shingo La is a mountain pass at an altitude of 5091 meters on the border between Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh. From October to April, the pass is usually buried under snow.
125 Infrastructure Projects completed in 2023-24
The Director General provided information about the BRO’s activities and stated that they successfully accomplished 125 infrastructure projects worth Rs. 3,611 crore in 2023-24. One of the notable projects completed by the BRO was the Sela Tunnel construction in Arunachal Pradesh on the Balipara-Chardwar-Tawang Road, which was recently inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Itanagar.
Illustrating the BRO’s commitment to timely project completion, the organisation wrapped up two significant airfield projects, Bagdogra and Barrackpore, marking another remarkable achievement. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently laid the foundation stone for the Mudh Airfield Project, a venture that the BRO is determined to complete within a remarkably short span of just two working seasons, DG asserted.
Over the past few years, the BRO has witnessed an exponential surge in budget expenditure, marking a remarkable leap forward in capabilities and impact. This increased budgetary support has empowered the organisation to undertake crucial projects, accelerate critical infrastructure development, and enhance its operational readiness.
The BRO executes road construction and maintenance works at altitudes ranging from 9,000 feet up to 19,000 feet along the Northern and Western frontiers, primarily to meet the strategic requirements of the Armed Forces. In over six decades, it has constructed over 62,214 km of roads, 1,005 bridges, seven tunnels and 21 airfields in adverse climatic and geographical conditions along India’s borders as well as in friendly countries, including Bhutan, Myanmar, Afghanistan and Tajikistan, thus contributing towards the nation’s strategic objectives, Defence Ministry release stated.
Defence Secretary Exhorts BRO to infuse latest technology for faster completion of projects
On the occasion of the 65th Raising Day of @BROindia, today Defence Secretary Shri @giridhararamane addressed the gathering. (1/6) pic.twitter.com/TGmp4GoDic
— A. Bharat Bhushan Babu (@SpokespersonMoD) May 7, 2024
Speaking on the occasion of raising day, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane exhorted the BRO to infuse the latest technology and techniques for faster project completion. This will reduce human efforts and make them more efficient. Automation and mechanisation will be key for the BRO in the future, he said. He termed the BRO an extremely crucial organisation which, through its infrastructure projects in border areas, is playing a major role in the security of the country, besides ensuring the socio-economic progress of far-flung areas.
Team BharatShakti
