Manali: On a landmark day for the Union Territory of Ladakh and its people, construction on 05 major road infrastructure development projects was launched by His Excellency the Governor of Ladakh Shri Radha Krishna Mathur, from Turtuk, the northernmost village of India. The groundbreaking ceremony was also attended by the Chief Executive Councillor, Leh TashiGyalson, MP Ladakh Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar, and Director General Border Roads Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhry besides overwhelming villagers from nearby areas.
Following the MoU, signed on 03 Sep 2021, between the Ladakh Administration and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), projects involving construction/improvement of roads and tunnels were assigned to BRO for the development of connectivity in the hilly region. The 05 projects kicked off today included preparation of greenfield alignment and up-gradation of major single-lane roads to double-lane (NHDL specification) and tunneling works.
Construction of road Hanuthang-Handanbroke-Zungpal-Turtuk, the 26.6 Km long greenfield road is planned to provide inter-valley connectivity between Hanuthang-Handanbroke (Indus Valley) and Zungpal-Turtuk (Shyok Valley) across the Stakpuchan Range. This will also reduce the travel time to Three and Half Hours from the existing Nine Hours to Turtuk via Leh without crossing the treacherous Khardungla pass.
Upgradation of 4 major single-lane roads has also commenced. These roads are, 78 Km road Khalse to Batallik, 50 Km road Kargil to Dumgil which will also include the construction of a tunnel at Hambotingla to ensure seamless connectivity from Kargil to Batallik,70 km road Khalsar to Shyokvia Agham, and 31 Km Tangtse to Lukung. All these roads are used extensively by travelers to reach sought-after tourist destinations such as Hundar (Nubra Valley), Turtuk village, Shyok, Pangong-Tso lake, and Aryan villages of Dah, Garkone Darchik, etc.
The Hon’ble LG dedicated the projects to the people of Ladakh and appreciated the work carried out by BRO, specifically in the border areas of Ladakh. He conveyed his gratitude to BRO for creating road infrastructure which is not only supported the Army in its security needs but had given impetus to tourism for socio-economic development. He reposed trust in BRO by highlighting that BRO is already maintaining 5000 Km road and would be constructing 1500 Km more roads in near future.
Defence Secretary Dr. Ajay Kumar stressed the contribution of BRO in nation-building impacting the life of the populace in remote areas. He highlighted various new technologies and road safety audits being undertaken pan-India by BRO to identify accident-prone sites and save precious lives. Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhry DG-BRO stressed the resolve of organization in road matrix development in border areas for meeting the aspirations of the nation. He highlighted new technologies to include geo-cells, M50 blocks, etc., which had been incorporated in frost susceptible areas in the Ladakh region to include the world’s highest motorable pass “Umlingla”. He informed that BRO is working on providing roadside amenities along BRO roads for the comfort of tourists, installation of crash barriers for which already 50 Km installed in Ladakh region alone, LED-based kerbstone, and others for the safety of motorists. Construction work on the project will commence soon and once completed, these projects will play a significant role in promoting tourism in the region, enhance operational preparedness of our forces, provide employment to the locals and contribute immensely towards the socio-economic aspirations of the nation and Ladakh region.
(_Vinayak)
