BRO Nears Completion Of Key Infrastructure Projects Along China Border

The BRO is close to completing key infrastructure projects near the China border, including vital road patches on a new route to Leh for all-weather connectivity, expected to be finished within weeks.

The BRO, which operates under the Defence Ministry, is also working on projects under the India-China Border Roads (ICBR) programme, including the effort to set up full connectivity to the Lipulekh Pass on the Mansarovar Yatra Road in Uttarakhand, Indian Express reported.

Leh is accessible via three routes currently: The first route passes through Srinagar-Zoji La-Kargil in Jammu and Kashmir, while the second goes through Manali-Rohtang in Himachal Pradesh. This route splits at Darcha, with one path leading to Leh via Padam and Nimu, and the other traversing mountain passes such as Baralacha La in Himachal Pradesh and Tanglang La in Ladakh before connecting to Leh.

The BRO is focusing on the Nimu-Padam-Darcha road, with the final 4-kilometre section nearly done and completion expected in the next few weeks.

In July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the construction of Shinkun La Tunnel project, the world's highest at 15,800 feet, with full work on it starting soon.

The Rs 1,681 crore Shinkun La Tunnel will reduce the Manali-Leh distance by 60 km and link the uncut section of Nimu-Padam-Darcha road, creating a third all-weather route.

The BRO is prioritising the Leh-Demchok road in eastern Ladakh, with most work nearly done and plans for future expansion to a double-lane road.

Border infrastructure development in Ladakh and the Northeast has accelerated since 2020, with the BRO's budget rising 30 per cent to Rs 6,500 crore this year.

The BRO has earmarked four roads totalling 330.95 km in Arunachal Pradesh under the ICBR project's first phases.

The BRO also plans to submit detail project reports for 14 roads under ICBR phase III soon, focusing on critical links to the LAC in eastern Ladakh and other areas.

The 1,800-km frontier highway in Arunachal Pradesh is a key BRO priority, backed by over Rs 6,000 crore in central funds.

The BRO is also progressing on the 2.79 km Sungal tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir, which is set to reduce travel time to Rajouri and Poonch.

The breakthrough blast of the Sungal tunnel on National Highway 144A was carried out in May this year.

As per the BRO, the blast culminates the excavation of the tunnel which on completion will facilitate travel through hill sections, reducing time and distance to reach Rajouri and Poonch.

Completing full connectivity to the Lipulekh Pass on the Mansarovar Yatra road by the end of 2024 is another BRO priority.

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