Leh, Aug 3, 2025: In a significant push to strengthen strategic infrastructure in eastern Ladakh, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is advancing plans to construct multiple tunnels and high-altitude passes, aimed at ensuring all-weather road connectivity in the region.
“Planning is in an advanced stage. Tunnel alignments are nearly final, and detailed project reports will follow soon,” said Col. Deepak Palande, Director (Works & Resources), Project Himank.
The tunnels, expected to take 5–7 years each depending on terrain conditions and survey outcomes, are planned along key mountain passes such as Baralacha and Tanglang. These will complement the already operational Rohtang tunnel on NH-3, which links Ladakh to the rest of India.
Col. Palande emphasized the strategic value of these roads, which support military logistics, troop movement, and rapid deployment during operations near the Line of Actual Control with China.
Project Himank has already completed key high-altitude passes including Umling La — the world’s highest motorable pass at 19,024 ft — with Mig La (19,400 ft) underway, set to surpass it. Eight of the world’s 14 highest motorable passes now fall under this project.
To overcome the region’s short working season, BRO is deploying modern technologies, including pre-cast construction methods, to speed up project execution.
“We’re not just sticking to traditional methods — we’re embracing technology to meet the unique challenges of the terrain,” Col. Palande noted.
BRO’s efforts continue to play a pivotal role in enhancing both connectivity and national security in the remote and strategically sensitive Ladakh region.
