Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today inaugurated the 920 metre Shyok Tunnel in eastern Ladakh, a strategically important tunnel built by the Border Roads Organisation that will ensure uninterrupted, all weather access to forward military posts by bypassing landslide and avalanche prone stretches on the Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldi road.
The tunnel is part of a larger programme of border infrastructure: the Defence Minister dedicated 125 BRO projects, spanning Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir and several states, in a single ceremony. Officials said the batch of projects – roads, bridges and tunnels together represent the largest single day inauguration in BRO history and aim to strengthen logistics, troop mobility and local connectivity in remote high altitude areas.
Built on the strategically vital DSDBO corridor, the Shyok Tunnel replaces stretches of road that were frequently closed or slowed by mountain hazards. By providing a protected route through the high-altitude terrain, the tunnel reduces weather related closures and shortens transit time for military convoys and civilian traffic servicing frontier communities. BRO engineers described the project as an engineering milestone given the challenging geology and harsh climate of the region.
Officials put the combined cost of the 125 border projects at around Rs 5,000 crore, noting the investment will not only improve defence preparedness but also spur economic activity in border districts by enabling year round movement of goods and people. The BRO, which has a long record of working in extreme environments across India, said the Shyok Tunnel and other newly opened works are the result of years of planning, specialised construction techniques and close coordination with local authorities and the armed forces.
Analysts say the new tunnel will add operational flexibility for the armed forces along the northern frontier while also benefiting residents and traders in Leh district and beyond. Over the coming months officials plan to monitor traffic patterns and maintain the tunnel’s drainage and protective structures to keep the route serviceable through the region’s harsh winters.
BRO engineers said the construction of the Shyok Tunnel demanded exceptional planning because of unstable rock formations, sub zero temperatures and limited working windows at high altitude. Specialised drilling equipment and high strength support systems were deployed to stabilise the tunnel and ensure long term safety for vehicular movement. Officials added that the project stayed on track due to round the clock coordination between BRO teams, the Indian Army and local authorities.
The Defence Minister praised the effort, calling it an example of India’s growing capability to execute complex engineering works in some of the world’s toughest terrains. He noted that the infrastructure coming up in Ladakh and other border regions reflects India’s resolve to strengthen national security while also improving the lives of people living in remote districts.
The newly inaugurated 125 projects include bridges, roads and advanced tunnels spread across Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and other states along sensitive border belts. Together these works are expected to enhance mobility of forces, support logistics for high altitude deployments and improve civilian access to health care, education and markets.
What to watch next
Operational readiness and maintenance plans for the tunnel during winter.
Progress on other BRO tunnels and passes promised under Project Himank and related initiatives.
