BRO Director General Lieutenant General Rajeev Chaudhary announced that the Border Roads Organisation will build the world’s highest tunnel at Shinku La Pass, at 16,580 feet, to connect Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh. He said this while opening the strategically crucial Himachal to Zanskar Road at Shinku La Pass, where more than a half-dozen vehicles crossed from the Zanskar side towards Manali.
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Key Points:
- The Border Roads Organisation (BRO), according to Lieutenant General Rajeev Chaudhary of PTI, would begin construction of the tunnel connecting Himachal Pradesh and the Zanskar Valley in Ladakh by July this year. He stated that the Centre has already established BRO’s ‘Mission Yojak’ to carry out this ambitious project.
- The tunnel, which is expected to be completed by 2025, will transform the economy of Zanskar Valley, according to the official.
- Currently, one must travel 101 kilometres on the Leh route from Manali to Darcha, then turn left towards Shinku La Pass and enter Zanskar valley.
- The tunnel’s south portal will be at Shinku La, and the tunnel’s north portal will be at Lhakhang.
- The D-G praised BRO personnel’s efforts in reopening the Shinku La-Padum and Manali-Leh roads in record time.
Important Takeaways for all Competitive Exams:
Zanskar Valley:
- The Chadar Trek, also known as the Frozen River Trek, is only accessible during the winter months in Zanskar.
- Zanskar is recognised for its hazardous terrain for adventure seekers, with treks like the Padum-Darcha Trek, Lugnak Trail Trek, and Zanskar-Sham Valley Trek among the options.
Shinku La:
- Shinku-La Tunnel, also known as Shinkula Tunnel or Shingo-La Tunnel, is a planned motorable tunnel linking Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul Valley and Ladakh’s Zanskar Valley in Northern India.
Phugtal monastery built by: Jangsem Sherap Zangpo