Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to commence the construction of the Shinku La tunnel in Ladakh on Friday, marking the start with a symbolic “first blast.” This ceremony will be conducted remotely from the Kargil war memorial in Dras, where Modi will also honor Indian soldiers on the 25th anniversary of the Kargil War.
The Shinku La tunnel, anticipated to be completed in four years, will become the world’s highest tunnel at 15,800 feet, surpassing China’s Mila tunnel which stands at 15,590 feet. The tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity between Manali and Leh via the Nimmu-Padam-Darcha axis, thus enhancing military mobility and logistical support in the Ladakh region.
Currently, the distance between Manali and Leh is 355 km. Once the tunnel is operational, this will be reduced to 295 km, offering a more efficient route compared to the existing Manali-Leh and Srinagar-Leh pathways. The Nimmu-Padam-Darcha road, which has been under construction, provides an alternative that is strategically significant, crossing only one pass—the 16,615-foot high Shinku La.
The development of the Shinku La tunnel comes amid an ongoing military standoff between India and China in eastern Ladakh, which has now extended into its fifth year. Despite ongoing negotiations aimed at restoring the status quo 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 worth ₹8,737 crore over the past three years, significantly enhancing strategic mobility along the border with China. Additionally, the BRO is nearing completion of a critical 130-km road connecting Sasoma in the Nubra Valley to Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO), India’s northernmost military base near the LAC. This project aims to provide an alternative route to the existing Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldi (DS-DBO) road, which runs close to the LAC.
India’s focus on bolstering border infrastructure has led to a substantial increase in defense spending and strategic project execution. The BRO’s capital allocation for the fiscal year 2024-25 stands at ₹6,500 crore, reflecting a 30% increase from the previous year and a 160% rise from two years ago. This boost in funding underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing border infrastructure and supporting military operations.
