Shinkun La pass: BRO tunnel gets green signal from Defence Ministry
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

Shinkun La pass: BRO tunnel gets green signal from Defence Ministry

The Ministry of Defence has cleared the 4.25 km Border Roads Organisation (BRO) tunnel under the 5,091 m high Shinkun La pass towards an all-weather strategic Nimmu-Padum-Darcha road, to support supplies to Indian military formations in the Ladakh sector.

The new arrangement will be the third axis to Ladakh. As compared to the Srinagar-ZojiLa-Kargil axis and Manali-Upshi-Leh axis this new alignment will be least exposed to the adversary. This snow-free axis is anticipated to be completed by 2024.

The existing Manali-Sarchu-Upshi-Leh road runs over four high mountain passes of around 5,000 m in height even after the construction of the Atal tunnel and remains snowed for three to four months during the winter.

As per the sources, Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh and topmost officials decided in support of the BRO proposal instead of National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL), which was advising an entirely new road alignment with a 13.5 km tunnel under Shinku La.

A defence ministry official told the media that in March 2021 both BRO and NHIDCL made presentations before the minister. After analysing both the proposals, the defence ministry has decided in favour of a shorter tunnel.

It is noted that the total value of the BRO tunnel construction will be nearby Rs 1,000 crore due to the simple design and requirement of basic electromechanical fittings. The 4.25 km tunnel will have longitudinal ventilation using banana fans, which require minimum electricity and operational price.

The new axis will remain snow-free the entire year providing movement of both troops and equipment to serve Ladakh, Kargil, and Siachen sectors.

Image Source


Also read: Tunnel reduces travel time by five hours

Also read: NHIDCL to build 3 high altitude tunnels

The Ministry of Defence has cleared the 4.25 km Border Roads Organisation (BRO) tunnel under the 5,091 m high Shinkun La pass towards an all-weather strategic Nimmu-Padum-Darcha road, to support supplies to Indian military formations in the Ladakh sector. The new arrangement will be the third axis to Ladakh. As compared to the Srinagar-ZojiLa-Kargil axis and Manali-Upshi-Leh axis this new alignment will be least exposed to the adversary. This snow-free axis is anticipated to be completed by 2024. The existing Manali-Sarchu-Upshi-Leh road runs over four high mountain passes of around 5,000 m in height even after the construction of the Atal tunnel and remains snowed for three to four months during the winter. As per the sources, Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh and topmost officials decided in support of the BRO proposal instead of National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL), which was advising an entirely new road alignment with a 13.5 km tunnel under Shinku La. A defence ministry official told the media that in March 2021 both BRO and NHIDCL made presentations before the minister. After analysing both the proposals, the defence ministry has decided in favour of a shorter tunnel. It is noted that the total value of the BRO tunnel construction will be nearby Rs 1,000 crore due to the simple design and requirement of basic electromechanical fittings. The 4.25 km tunnel will have longitudinal ventilation using banana fans, which require minimum electricity and operational price. The new axis will remain snow-free the entire year providing movement of both troops and equipment to serve Ladakh, Kargil, and Siachen sectors. Image Source Also read: Tunnel reduces travel time by five hours Also read: NHIDCL to build 3 high altitude tunnels

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Panel Urges Zone-Wise Freight Plans and Crew Strengthening

A Parliamentary Standing Committee has urged the Railway Ministry to prepare zone-wise plans to enhance freight traffic in regions with limited mineral movement and industrial activity, according to its ninth report tabled in Parliament on 10 August. The Committee commended efforts to augment network capacity through multitracking, operationalisation of Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFC) and modernisation of yards. It noted that the Ministry has said periodic data-driven assessments are carried out with inputs from Zonal Railways, Divisional Railways and Business Development Units to support po..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Coal India Weighs Buying Wealth Minerals Unit For Chile Lithium

Coal India Limited is evaluating a proposal to acquire the Chilean lithium assets held by the Wealth Minerals unit in Canada as part of a strategic move into battery materials. The company is assessing the asset portfolio, regulatory landscape and integration challenges while retaining coal operations as its core business. The potential interest reflects a shift by a state-owned miner towards minerals critical to the low emission transition. Wealth Minerals, a Canada-based exploration company, holds licences and exploration agreements in Chile that involve hard rock and brine lithium prospects..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Bajel Projects Wins Ultra?Mega Transmission Line Contract

Bajel Projects Limited has secured an Ultra?Mega engineering, procurement and construction order for a transmission line package TL05 from PowerGrid Corporation of India Limited on behalf of its special purpose vehicle. The award forms part of the Western Region–Eastern Region inter?regional network expansion scheme Part A procured under the tariff based competitive bidding route. The contract covers construction of a 765 kV double circuit transmission line. The scope includes bypassing of the Raigarh (Tamnar)–Dharamjaygarh (Sec?B) 765 kV double circuit line and reconfiguration to form the..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement