The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) will build the world’s highest tunnel at the Shinku La pass at an altitude of 16,580 feet to connect Himachal Pradesh with Ladakh. BRO Director General Lt Gen Rajeev Choudhary said this while inaugurating the strategically important Himachal Pradesh to Zanskar Road at Shinku La Pass.
Choudhary said that the BRO would start the construction of a tunnel connecting Himachal Pradesh to the Zanskar Valley in Ladakh by July this year. He said that the Centre has implemented “Project Yojak” of BRO to complete this ambitious project. He said that the construction of this tunnel will be completed by 2025 and will change the economy of Zanskar Valley. After the tunnel is built on the Shinkula pass, people of Lahaul and Zanskar region will be able to commute easily. Apart from this, tourism will also be encouraged in these areas. After the construction of Atal Tunnel, the number of tourists coming towards Lahaul Valley has increased significantly. In the coming times, tourism will get a boost in Ladakh and Zanskar Valley.
The Shinkula Pass, which connects the Zanskar Valley of Leh-Ladakh to Lahaul, has been restored for traffic by the BRO only two months ago. After clearing the snow from the pass, on Saturday, DG, Border Roads Organization, Rajeev Choudhary cut the ribbon and flagged off the vehicles coming from Zanskar of Leh-Ladakh on this route.
At present, this pass will remain closed for tourist vehicles. However, the BRO has restored this route in record time this year. Earlier, this route was restored in June.