The movement of traffic in the double-tube tunnel, which will not be vulnerable to long-range artillery shelling or missile launches from both China and Pakistan, at an altitude of over 16,500 feet on the Manali-Darcha-Padam-Nimu axis will ensure that troops and heavy weapons can be rapidly moved to forward areas.
“The tunnel under the Shinkun pass (la means pass), which is to be constructed by the Border Roads Organization at a cost of Rs 1,681.5 crore, will be completed by December 2025,” a senior official, also serving as the Union Minister, told TOI Anurag Thakur announced the decision of the cabinet committee on security led by the prime minister.
The MoD in May 2021 had approved the plan to construct the 4.1km tunnel after a long standoff between the BRO and the National Highway and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL). While the BRO had proposed the shorter tunnel, the latter proposed a tunnel link of 12.7 km.
The sources said one of the main reasons for going ahead with the shorter tunnel was the anticipated completion of the project in the face of the threat from China. Sources say the tunnels are a priority area, both for all-weather connectivity and for faster troop deployment in forward areas, as well as for underground storage of ammunition, missiles, fuel and other supplies.
