Shinkun La Tunnel Project: Know All About World's Highest Tunnel As PM Modi Launches Construction

The Shinkun La Tunnel Project consists of a 4.1 kilometre long twin-tube tunnel, which will be constructed at around 15,800 feet on Nimu-Padum-Darcha road, to provide all weather connectivity to Leh

PM Modi launched the construction of the Shikun La Tunnel In Ladakh on Friday.

Source : X

Aimed at enhancing the all-weather connectivity and strategic mobility in the Ladakh region, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, carried out the first blast of the the Shikun La Tunnel project, which is set to be the highest tunnel in the world.

Situated at an altitude of 15,800 feet, the Shikun La Tunnel is a part of the Nimmu-Padam-Darcha road, and is being built to boost the all-weather connectivity in the snow-bound region, to faciliate troop movement even in harsh climatic conditions and challenging topography.

#WATCH | Ladakh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually carries out the first blast of the Shinkun La Tunnel project

Shinkun La Tunnel Project consists of a 4.1 km long Twin-Tube tunnel which will be constructed at an altitude of around 15,800 feet on the Nimu – Padum – Darcha… pic.twitter.com/ISobHEhkzl

— ANI (@ANI) July 26, 2024

About The Tunnel & Its Significance

The Shinkun La Tunnel Project consists of a 4.1 kilometre long twin-tube tunnel, which will be constructed at around 15,800 feet on Nimu-Padum-Darcha road, to provide all weather connectivity to Leh. The tunnel will serve as a vital link, connecting the Lahaul Valley in Himachal Pradesh with the Zanskar Valley in Ladakh.

It is being undertaken by the Border Roads Organisation at the cost of Rs 1,681 crore. PM-led cabinet committee approved the project in February last year.

The project is poised to become a giant leap in upgrading India's infrastructural development and will hold immense significance from a strategic point of view.

Not only will the tunnel boost the economic development of Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh, but it will also play a crucial role in the mobilisation of troops and heavy weapons along the northern borders with China. This project also holds importance particularly due to the military confrontation with China in eastern Ladakh, which has been ongoing for the last four years.

It will not only ensure swift and efficient movement of the armed forces and equipment but will also foster economic and social development in Ladakh, a statement from Ministry of Defence said.

Through the tunnel, the union territory will remain accessible and connected with the country in every season and will make the lives easier as people living there face numerous hardships due to the region's extreme weather.

"This tunnel will open doors of new possibilities for the development and better future of Ladakh," PM Modi said.

A striking feature of the tunnel is that each of its tube will have cross-passages every 500 meters that will be made to facilitate maintenance and ensure safety.

After its construction, which is expected to take at least two years, the tunnel will surpass the existing record that is held by China's Mi La Tunnel, situated at 15,590 feet.

The Shinkun La Tunnel is a pioneering infrastructure project which will boost connectivity to Leh and enhance tourism as well as commerce! pic.twitter.com/7whyWjliMP

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 26, 2024

The tunnel can also be used for underground storage of ammunition, missiles, fuel, and other supplies. It will be equipped with firefighting, mechanical ventilation, communication, and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, Business Standard reported.

The construction of the Shinkhun La tunnel comes after the BRO established connectivity with the 298-km Nimmu-Padam Darcha road in Ladakh.

Enhancing Border Infrastructure

Shinku La Tunnel is the latest addition to India's broader stratey to enhance ots border infrastructure along the 3,488-km Line of Actual Control with China.

Over the recent years, India has expanded its border infrastructure, thereby improving its military capabilities.Centre has created a network of roads, tunnels, bridges,  helipads, and airfields along the China border in the last decade.

In March this year, PM Modi inaugurated the Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh, built at an altitude of over 13,000 feet on the Balipara-Chariduar-Tawang road at a cost of Rs 825 crore.

In 2020, the PM also inaugurated the Atal Tunnel in Himachal Pradesha, which is the highest highway single-tube tunnel above 10,000 feet in the world. It cuts the distance between Manali and Leh by 46 kilometres.

Atal tunnel helped overcome the six-month isolation in the region, caused due to heavy snowfall. Now Manali is connected to the Lahaul-Spiti valley throughout the entire year.