New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will initiate the construction of the Shinku La tunnel in Ladakh by conducting the “first blast” on Friday. This tunnel aims to provide year-round connectivity from Manali to Leh via the Nimmu-Padam-Darcha route. Modi will oversee this event remotely from the Kargil war memorial in Dras, where he will honor Indian soldiers on the 25th anniversary of the Kargil War.

The Shinku La tunnel, situated at 15,800 feet, will become the world’s highest tunnel, surpassing China’s Mila tunnel at 15,590 feet. Scheduled for completion in four years, the tunnel will enhance military mobility and logistics in the Ladakh region. The Nimmu-Padam-Darcha road, which was connected in March 2024 and is currently being paved, will offer a third route to Ladakh, shortening the distance between Manali and Leh by 60 km, from 355 km to 295 km.

This development occurs amid ongoing military tensions between India and China in eastern Ladakh, which have persisted for five years. Although negotiations are in progress, a resolution to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) issues remains elusive.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has significantly improved strategic mobility for the Indian armed forces along the China border, completing 330 projects worth ₹8,737 crore in the past three years. It is also nearing completion of a road from Sasoma in the Nubra Valley to Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO), India’s northernmost military base near the LAC.

India’s push for border infrastructure has been driven by rapid execution of strategic projects, increased budget allocations, and the adoption of advanced technology and techniques. The BRO has received a capital outlay of ₹6,500 crore in the 2024-25 defense budget, marking a 30% increase from the previous year and a 160% increase from 2021-22.