BRO connects strategic Nimmu-Padam-Darcha Road in Ladakh
Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is set to commence construction of Shinkun La tunnel at 16,558 ft, a third all weather axis to Ladakh.
This follows the completion of strategic 298-km Nimmu-Padam-Darcha Road in Ladakh on 25 March 2024, an important link to the hinterland
“This road connects Manali to Leh through Darcha and Nimmu on Kargil–Leh Highway. The road is now the third axis apart from Manali-Leh and Srinagar-Leh,” the Ministry of Defence said on 26 Mar.
The Nimmu-Padam-Darcha Road derives its strategic importance from the fact that it is not only shorter vis-a-vis the other two axes, but crosses only one pass; Shinkun La (16,558 feet) where tunnel work is about to commence by the BRO.
“This will result in the road having all weather connectivity to the Ladakh region. The connectivity will strengthen the defence preparedness and provide a boost to the economic development in the Zanskar valley,” the Ministry said.
DG Border Roads Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan exuded confidence that the work on black topping the road will start soon.
He said that in January, when the River Zansakar was frozen, the equipment and personnel were mobilised and the work of establishing the connectivity was completed. fiinews.com