BRO Approaches Completion of Major Projects at China Border

04 Sep 2024 CW Team

Leh can currently be reached via three routes. One route runs through Srinagar-Zoji La-Kargil in Jammu and Kashmir, while another traverses Manali-Rohtang in Himachal Pradesh. This second route splits at Darcha, offering one path to Leh via Padam and Nimu, and another that crosses several mountain passes, including Baralacha La in Himachal Pradesh and Tanglang La in Ladakh, before reaching Leh.

The BRO is concentrating on completing the Nimu-Padam-Darcha road, with the final 4-kilometre stretch expected to be finished soon. In July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated the Shinkun La Tunnel project, the world's highest at 15,800 feet, with full-scale construction anticipated to begin shortly. The Rs 16.81 billion tunnel will shorten the Manali-Leh route by 60 km and link the uncompleted section of the Nimu-Padam-Darcha road, establishing a third all-weather route.

The BRO is also prioritizing the Leh-Demchok road in eastern Ladakh, with most of the work nearly complete and plans to expand it to a double-lane road. Since 2020, border infrastructure development in Ladakh and the Northeast has accelerated, with the BRO's budget increasing by 30 percent to Rs 6,500 crore this year.

Under the ICBR project's initial phases, the BRO has earmarked four roads totalling 330.95 km in Arunachal Pradesh. Plans are also in place to submit detailed project reports for 14 roads under ICBR phase III, focusing on essential links to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh and other regions.

The BRO is advancing work on the 2.79 km Sungal tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir, aimed at reducing travel time to Rajouri and Poonch. The breakthrough blast for this tunnel, part of National Highway 144A, was completed in May, marking a significant step towards facilitating travel through hilly areas and cutting down the journey time to Rajouri and Poonch.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is nearing the completion of significant infrastructure projects along the China border. These include critical road sections on a new route to Leh aimed at ensuring all-weather connectivity, with completion anticipated in the coming weeks. Operating under the Defence Ministry, the BRO is also advancing projects under the India-China Border Roads (ICBR) programme. This includes efforts to achieve full connectivity to the Lipulekh Pass on the Mansarovar Yatra Road in Uttarakhand, as reported by the Indian Express. Leh can currently be reached via three routes. One route runs through Srinagar-Zoji La-Kargil in Jammu and Kashmir, while another traverses Manali-Rohtang in Himachal Pradesh. This second route splits at Darcha, offering one path to Leh via Padam and Nimu, and another that crosses several mountain passes, including Baralacha La in Himachal Pradesh and Tanglang La in Ladakh, before reaching Leh. The BRO is concentrating on completing the Nimu-Padam-Darcha road, with the final 4-kilometre stretch expected to be finished soon. In July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated the Shinkun La Tunnel project, the world's highest at 15,800 feet, with full-scale construction anticipated to begin shortly. The Rs 16.81 billion tunnel will shorten the Manali-Leh route by 60 km and link the uncompleted section of the Nimu-Padam-Darcha road, establishing a third all-weather route. The BRO is also prioritizing the Leh-Demchok road in eastern Ladakh, with most of the work nearly complete and plans to expand it to a double-lane road. Since 2020, border infrastructure development in Ladakh and the Northeast has accelerated, with the BRO's budget increasing by 30 percent to Rs 6,500 crore this year. Under the ICBR project's initial phases, the BRO has earmarked four roads totalling 330.95 km in Arunachal Pradesh. Plans are also in place to submit detailed project reports for 14 roads under ICBR phase III, focusing on essential links to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh and other regions. The BRO is advancing work on the 2.79 km Sungal tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir, aimed at reducing travel time to Rajouri and Poonch. The breakthrough blast for this tunnel, part of National Highway 144A, was completed in May, marking a significant step towards facilitating travel through hilly areas and cutting down the journey time to Rajouri and Poonch.

Infrastructure Transport

09 Jan 2026

India Becomes First to Produce Bio-Bitumen for Roads

India has become the first country in the world to commercially produce bio-bitumen for use in road construction, according to Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari. Bitumen, a black and viscous hydrocarbon derived from crude oil, is a key binding material in road building, and the bio-based alternative is expected to significantly improve the sector’s environmental footprint.Addressing the CSIR Technology Transfer Ceremony in New Delhi, Mr Gadkari congratulated Council of Scientific and Industrial Research on achieving the milestone, noting that the initiative would help curb ..

Infrastructure Urban

09 Jan 2026

HILT Policy Seen Boosting Telangana Revenue Sharply

The Hyderabad Industrial Land Transformation (HILT) Policy is expected to generate around Rs 1.08 billion in revenue for the Telangana state exchequer, according to Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu. Speaking in the Telangana Legislative Assembly, he said the policy would be implemented within a six-month timeframe in a transparent manner, with uniform rules applicable to all stakeholders. Mr Vikramarka noted that without the HILT Policy, the state would have earned only about Rs 1.2 million per acre. Under the new framework, however, revenue is projected to rise sharply to Rs 70 ..

Infrastructure Urban

09 Jan 2026

India Post, MoRD Tie Up to Boost Rural Inclusion

The Department of Posts and the Ministry of Rural Development have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to accelerate rural transformation and expand financial, digital and logistics services for Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and rural households across India. The agreement was signed in the presence of Union Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia and Union Minister of Rural Development and Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The collaboration aligns with the government’s “Dak Sewa, Jan Sewa” vision and seeks to repositi..