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).
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.
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
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.
India News: NEW DELHI: The defence ministry has given the go ahead to NHIDCL, a wholly owned company of highways ministry, to prepare the detailed project report .
One tunnel more to defend India's territory against China's aggression.
After Rohtang, focus shifts to Shingola (Shinku La) tunnel between Ladakh and Lahaul
National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited has speeded up the detailed project report work on the 13.5-km tunnel
National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited has speeded up the detailed project report work on the 13.5-km tunnel
After Rohtang, focus now on Shingola (Shinku La) tunnel amid tension in Himalayas
https://www.canindia.com/after-rohtang-focus-now-on-shinku-la-tunnel-amid-tension-in-himalayas/
Latest South Asian News from Canada - Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton and around the World, Breaking Entertainment News from Bollywood Hollywood, Sports, Cricket
India's progress in infrastructure is in international press.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/9/29/india-builds-himalayan-bridges-and-highways-to-match-china
India is bolstering its infrastructure along the Himalayan border following deadly border tensions with China.
Survey for Shinku La (Shingola) tunnel will be carried out from tomorrow jointly by National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), a company of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and the Indian Air Force.
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/survey-for-shinku-la-tunnel-from-tomorrow-156273
A trial to conduct an aerial survey for the proposed Shinku La tunnel was done using a Chinook helicopter from the Stingri helipad near Keylong in Lahaul & Spiti district today.
cover tunnel photo by: Matt Brown from London, England / CC BY
Copyright 2019-2024 TunnelContact.com
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-steps-up-building-new-snow-free-axis-to-ladakh-amid-china-standoff/story-d3wAm1zGliffOpk76jowON.html
Stand-off with PLA pushes India to go for new snow-free axis to Ladakh
www.hindustantimes.comThe project to build a third road to Ladakh is targeted to be completed in two years. It requires a 4.5 km tunnel to be built under Shingo La, a high mountain pass at 16,570 feet on the border between Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh