DG BRO visits Shinku La site in tribal Lahaul & Spiti

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, September 8

The Director General of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Lt General Harpal Singh, today visited Shinku La situated at the height of 16,600 feet in tribal district Lahaul Spiti, which connects tribal district Lahaul Spiti with union territory Leh in Zanskar valley.

On the direction of the Defence Ministry, the Border Roads Organisation is planning to construct a tunnel beneath Shinku La in Lahaul Spiti district to connect Zanskar valley with Himachal Pradesh in Lahaul.

The BRO had already constructed a road from Darcha ahead up to Shinku La from Lahaul side which has been connected to Padum the sub division headquarters of Zanskar valley of union territory of Leh.

Due to high altitude, Shinku La receives heavy snowfall, which blocks traffic movement on the Darcha-Padum highway, which is under construction. This highway would be connected at Nimmu from Padum ahead at the Kargil-Leh highway, which will provide all weather connectivity to Leh via Keylong- Darcha- Shinku La-Padum- Nimmu highway. The construction work of the road is already under way. It would provide an alternate route for military access from Himachal side to Leh in the coming days.

At present, the Manali -Leh highway is providing military and civilian access to Leh from Manali side in Himachal Pradesh.

Ever since the face-off with China in Galwan valley, the Central government is keen to explore possibility of all-weather connectivity to Leh from Manali side, especially for military purpose.

Sources said that the BRO is also planning to construct tunnels beneath Baralacha La, Taglang La and Lachulung La on the Manali-Leh highway to provide better connectivity to Leh from Manali side. The DPRs are being prepared for the purpose.

After visit of the DG to Shinkula la, the BRO would plan the next course of action regarding construction of tunnel under Shinku La.

Earlier, the DGBRO visited the site of Atal tunnel, Rohtang, to review the progress of construction work of tunnel. The DG expressed happiness over the progress of Atal tunnel Rohtang.