New LAC Road to DBO Will Cut Travel Time to 12 Hours

23 Jul 2025 CW Team

The 130-kilometre new route, running via Sasoma-Saser La-Saser Brangsa-Gapshan-DBO, offers a secure and faster alternative to the existing Darbuk-Shyok-DBO (DSDBO) road, which is vulnerable to observation by Chinese forces.

This new road, developed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), will reduce the distance between Leh and DBO by 79 km, cutting travel time sharply from two days to approximately 11–12 hours. The improved connectivity will allow India to deploy troops discreetly and enhance logistics in this sensitive border region.

Daulat Beg Oldie is home to the world’s highest airstrip at 16,614 feet and is strategically critical due to its proximity to the Karakoram Pass and the disputed Depsang area, where China has frequently challenged Indian territorial claims.

Defence officials noted that the BRO has upgraded nine bridges on the route from 40-tonne to 70-tonne load capacity to accommodate heavier vehicles and artillery. Successful trials with Bofors guns and other equipment have already been conducted.

Originating from Sasoma in Nubra Valley near the Siachen base camp, the new road enables direct access to DBO without detouring through Leh. BRO’s ‘Project Vijayak’ is responsible for the Sasoma to Saser Brangsa segment, while ‘Project Himank’ oversees construction to DBO. The project’s total estimated cost is Rs 500 million.

The construction faces formidable engineering challenges due to the terrain and extreme weather. Situated above 17,000 feet, the area experiences heavy snowfall and low oxygen levels, restricting construction to just five to six months per year. To aid workers, BRO has established “oxygen cafés” to ensure safety and efficiency.

Additionally, plans are underway for an 8-kilometre tunnel at Saser La (17,660 feet) to provide all-weather connectivity. Once completed, this tunnel will further strengthen the road’s strategic importance.

In a significant enhancement to border infrastructure along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), an alternative route to the strategic Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) sector in Ladakh—free from Chinese surveillance—is set to be completed next year. Following the Galwan Valley clash in 2020 and the ensuing border tensions with China, India accelerated the construction of this vital road.The 130-kilometre new route, running via Sasoma-Saser La-Saser Brangsa-Gapshan-DBO, offers a secure and faster alternative to the existing Darbuk-Shyok-DBO (DSDBO) road, which is vulnerable to observation by Chinese forces.This new road, developed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), will reduce the distance between Leh and DBO by 79 km, cutting travel time sharply from two days to approximately 11–12 hours. The improved connectivity will allow India to deploy troops discreetly and enhance logistics in this sensitive border region.Daulat Beg Oldie is home to the world’s highest airstrip at 16,614 feet and is strategically critical due to its proximity to the Karakoram Pass and the disputed Depsang area, where China has frequently challenged Indian territorial claims.Defence officials noted that the BRO has upgraded nine bridges on the route from 40-tonne to 70-tonne load capacity to accommodate heavier vehicles and artillery. Successful trials with Bofors guns and other equipment have already been conducted.Originating from Sasoma in Nubra Valley near the Siachen base camp, the new road enables direct access to DBO without detouring through Leh. BRO’s ‘Project Vijayak’ is responsible for the Sasoma to Saser Brangsa segment, while ‘Project Himank’ oversees construction to DBO. The project’s total estimated cost is Rs 500 million.The construction faces formidable engineering challenges due to the terrain and extreme weather. Situated above 17,000 feet, the area experiences heavy snowfall and low oxygen levels, restricting construction to just five to six months per year. To aid workers, BRO has established “oxygen cafés” to ensure safety and efficiency.Additionally, plans are underway for an 8-kilometre tunnel at Saser La (17,660 feet) to provide all-weather connectivity. Once completed, this tunnel will further strengthen the road’s strategic importance.

Infrastructure Energy

17 Dec 2025

Vedanta Aluminium Uses 1.57 bn Units of Green Energy in FY25

Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, recently reported consumption of 1.57 billion units of renewable energy in FY25, marking a significant milestone in its 2030 decarbonisation roadmap. The company also achieved an 8.96 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity compared to FY21, reinforcing its leadership in India’s low-carbon manufacturing transition. During FY25, Vedanta Aluminium expanded its renewable energy portfolio through long-term power purchase agreements, strengthening its strategy to source nearly 1,500 MW of renewable power over the lon..

Real Estate

17 Dec 2025

Oberoi Group to Develop Luxury Resort at Makaibari Tea Estate

EIH Limited, the flagship company of The Oberoi Group, has announced the signing of a management agreement to develop an Oberoi luxury resort at the iconic Makaibari Tea Estate in Darjeeling. The project marks a key milestone in the Group’s long-term strategy of creating distinctive hospitality experiences in rare and environmentally significant locations. Established in 1859, Makaibari is one of the world’s oldest tea estates and is globally recognised for its Himalayan landscape, primary forests and exceptional biodiversity. Spread across 1,236 acres, the estate houses one of the world�..

Real Estate

17 Dec 2025

GHV Infra Secures Rs 1.09 Bn EPC Order in Jamshedpur

GHV Infra Projects Ltd, a fast-growing EPC company in India’s infrastructure and construction sector, has recently secured a Rs 1.09 billion work order in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. Awarded by a reputed group entity, the contract covers end-to-end civil construction, mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems, along with high-quality finishing works for a large building development. The project will be executed over a 30-month period, with defined benchmarks for quality, safety and timely delivery. The order strengthens GHV Infra’s footprint in Jamshedpur, a key industrial hub known fo..