NHIDCL initiates 3 tunnels for round the year connectivity with Ladakh

To provide year-round road connectivity with Ladakh through Manali areas in Himachal Pradesh, work on preparing detailed project reports (DPRs) for constructing multiple tunnels through three high passes beyond Rohtang has been initiated by NHIDCL. These tunnels are considered necessary as the recent building of the Rohtang Tunnel alone would not improve connectivity between Ladakh and the rest of the country.

The NHIDCL has taken up DPR work of the Zojila Eastern Portal (11,575 ft) on the Srinagar—Leh highway. The three passes beyond Rohtang (13,051 ft) through which tunnelling will be done are higher than Rohtang. World's longest high altitude tunnel of 13.5 kms long will be constructed through Shinkun-la that is at a height of 16,703 ft. The tunnel will improve road connectivity between Keylong and Kargil.

Another tunnel has been approved at Tanglang-la (17,582 ft) which is the world's second-highest motorable pass. The NHIDCL is also in the process of clearing the decks for constructing a tunnel through Lachung-la at 16,000 ft. It has already set up its regional office at Leh, and site offices at Kargil, Padum, Keylong and Upshi. Narula asked the officials to design solar passive winter-friendly buildings which will help the UT to reduce carbon foot-prints and also building wayside amenities on the Kargil-Zanskar road of NH-301.