Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Ladakh on July 26, Friday, to participate in the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas. This event commemorates India’s victory in the Kargil War against Pakistan in 1999. The Prime Minister will pay tribute at the Kargil War Memorial during his visit.
In addition to the anniversary celebrations, Prime Minister Modi will also inaugurate the construction of the Shinkun La Tunnel by virtually carrying out the first blast. The Shinkun La Tunnel is set to be a remarkable feat of engineering, as it will be the tallest tunnel in the world upon completion.
The tunnel will be 4.1 kilometers long and will be built at an altitude of 15,800 feet on the Nimu-Padum-Darcha Road. The Shinkun La Tunnel will feature a Twin-Tube Double Lane design with cross passages every 500 meters. It will also be equipped with advanced systems such as Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Systems (SCADA), a Mechanical Ventilation System, Fire Fighting Systems, and Communication systems to ensure safety and efficiency.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) released a statement highlighting the tunnel’s importance. “Shinkun La Tunnel will not only ensure swift and efficient movement of our armed forces and equipment but also foster economic and social development in Ladakh,” the statement read.
The tunnel will play a crucial role in enhancing connectivity by linking the Lahaul Valley in Himachal Pradesh with the Zanskar Valley in Ladakh.
Currently, there are two main routes to reach Leh: the Srinagar-Zojila-Kargil-Leh route and the Manali-Atal Tunnel-Sarchu-Leh route. However, both these routes pass through high-altitude areas that become snowbound during the winter, cutting off access for four to five months each year.
The completion of the Atal Tunnel has already improved year-round access from Manali to Darcha, and the Shinkun La Tunnel is expected to further enhance connectivity in the region.
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The Shinkun La Tunnel project is seen as a strategic move to bolster the movement of armed forces and equipment while also promoting economic growth and social development in Ladakh. The tunnel is anticipated to be a vital infrastructure development that will benefit the region in multiple ways, from improving transportation to boosting tourism and trade.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Ladakh and the inauguration of the Shinkun La Tunnel project underscore the government’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure and connectivity in remote and strategic areas of the country. The project is expected to be a significant milestone in India’s efforts to improve accessibility and development in the Himalayan region.
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