As the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh continues to simmer for the last four years in the chilling high-altitude climes of the high mountains, Border Roads Organisation (BRO) announced the construction of the Shinku La Tunnel, commencing this September. The 4.1 km long engineering marvel will stand tall at 15,800 feet, making it the world’s highest tunnel, beneath the 16,615 feet high Shinku La pass. The current honours for the highest tunnel go to China’s Mila tunnel situated at 15, 590 feet.
The tunnelling project, which is expected to cost Rs 1,681 crores, will provide round the year access to Leh, once completed, via the Nimmu-Padam-Darcha road, the third axis to Leh. The other two routes to Ladakh are from Srinagar via Dras-Kargil, and the Manali-Leh axis. Both these routes to Ladakh are shut due to heavy snow accumulation and fear of avalanches during the winter months, effectively cutting Ladakh off from the rest of the country for four to five months.
After the completion of the tunnel, which is expected to take four years, Ladakh will, for the first time, remain connected throughout the year. BRO had connected Nimmu to Darcha in March this year. The route will also reduce the distance from Manali to Leh by 60 km; from the current 355 km to 295 km.
The most used road to Ladakh by the forces is the Srinagar-Dras-Kargil-Leh route. Pakistan tried to cut off this road during the 1999 Kargil War. This road is shut for nearly six months every year due to snow accumulation at Zoji La Pass. Two tunnels are being made at Z-Morh and under the pass to keep Leh open to traffic throughout the year. The tunnelling project under Zoji La Pass has run into delays due to the rock structure and is now expected to open only in 2030.
The Leh-Manali road, part of the National Highway -3, crosses five high passes namely the Rohtang La Pass, Baralach La Pass, Nakee La Pass, Lachulung-La Pass and the highest Tanglang La Pass at 17, 480 feet. Many of these passes are shut during winter months, and currently there is a tunnel only under the Rohtang La Pass.
Dhruv Yadav
