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India plans a third tunnel for all-weather Ladakh connection

    A. Luthra
    By A. Luthra Replies (7)

    In addition to Atal Tunnel in Rohtang and Zojila Tunnel, India is now planning a third tunnel to the strategically important Ladakh. The new tunnel will be a 4.5 kilometer long tunnel under Shingola mountain range pass  at 16,570 feet between Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh.

    Atal Tunnel in Rohtang has already been under construction for years and expected to be finished completely soon. Zojila Tunnel's tender process is progressing. With a third tunnel, India will be having an additional all-weather access to the Ladakh to suppress any aggression by China and Pakistan. The Shingola Tunnel will be a clear message to these countries eying Siachen Glacier and Daulat Beg Oldie.

    It is understood that, the government is inclined to give the task of building the tunnel to the same contractor who built the Atal Tunnel. Hindustan Times lists other potential tunnel locations all higher than the Atal Tunnel which at 10 thousand feet the world's longest at that altitude. They are Baralachala (16,500 feet), Nakeela (15,547 feet), Lachungla (16,616 feet), and Tanglangla (17,480 feet).

    https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-steps-up-building-new-snow-free-axis-to-ladakh-amid-china-standoff/story-d3wAm1zGliffOpk76jowON.html

    Update from Indian Times on 31-8-2020 - Although BRO (Border Roads Organisation) wants a shorter tunnel (Indian Times says 4.1 km and not 4.5km) at Shingola (Shinkhun La), appointed by the Defence Ministry, NHIDCL (a company of highways ministry) wants to build a 12.7km tunnel. Although NHIDCL had been assigned the task of planning this tunnel in 2017, it is interesting that they make this announcement only after BRO makes their announcement about the tunnel. BRO reportedly wants Geodata to prepare the DPR and the tunnel to be built by the Indian company AFCONS for faster construction.

    https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/govt-to-build-12-7-km-tunnel-at-shinkhun-la-pass-on-himachal-ladakh-border/articleshow/77811334.cms

    Update from Hindustan Times on 20-5-2021 - One year after the Chinese agression at Galwan, Defence Ministry is about to take an important decision. Over the route and the length of the new Shingola ( Shinkhun La or Shinkun La) tunnel.

    Hindustan Times reports that Border and Roads Organization pitches a shorter 4.5km tunnel under the 5,091 metre pass on the existing road alignment readied by 2024 while the NHIDCL (National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation ) pitches for an 13.5km long tunnel.

    Please read Hindustan Times for fine details

    https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/one-year-after-galwan-clash-defence-ministry-to-decide-on-shinkun-la-tunnel-101621399943200.html

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