The National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL), under the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), has speeded up the detailed project report (DPR) work on the 13.5 km-long high-altitude Shinkun La Tunnel along with its approach roads in the union territory of Ladakh and Lahaul-Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh.
Once completed, the Shinkun La Tunnel will be the world’s longest high-altitude tunnel and will enable the Manali-Kargil highway to remain open throughout the year.
The Central Government is giving priority to building Infrastructure in border areas of Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh. In order to take a holistic view of improving the road connectivity and its availability throughout the year, a team of senior officers of NHIDCL led by its Managing Director, KK Pathak travelled by road from Leh to North and South Portals of Shinku La Tunnel via Padum for two days. During this five-day visit of the Ladakh sector, the team conducted a detailed review of the geotechnical investigations being carried out at the site by the DPR consultants.
During the course of inspection of the works, Pathak stressed expediting the project work in portal areas so as to finish it latest by October 15 before the onset of the winter season as the area experiences very heavy snowfall. Locals present on the site lauded the efforts of NHIDCL to improve connectivity in the remote and inaccessible areas of Ladakh and Lahaul and Spiti District.