World’s Highest Tunnel in Ladakh Inaugurated

• 27 Jul 2024

On July 26th, 2024, Prime Minister virtually inaugurated the construction of the world’s highest tunnel in Ladakh.

Key Points

• The Shinkun La Tunnel, a 4.1-kilometer-long twin-tube structure, is constructed at an altitude of around 15,800 feet on the Nimu-Padum-Darcha Road.
• The project was approved by the Prime Minister-led cabinet committee on security in February 2023.
• The tunnel will be constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
• The construction of tunnel is projected to be completed in two years.
• The tunnel will ensure all-weather connectivity to Leh and is expected to enhance the swift and efficient movement of the country’s armed forces and their equipment, while also fostering economic and social development in Ladakh.
• The tunnel can also be used for underground storage of ammunition, missiles, fuel, and other supplies. It will be equipped with firefighting, mechanical ventilation, communication, and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems to handle any untoward situation.
• Tunnel will also reduce India’s “border infrastructure differential” with China along the 3,488-kilometre Line of Actual Control.