The all-weather road gives a strategic fillip to Ladakh
- April 7, 2024
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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The all-weather road gives a strategic fillip to Ladakh
Subject: Geography
Section: Mapping
Context:
- Border Road Organisation’s (BRO) recent accomplishment in Ladakh involves connecting Himachal Pradesh and Leh through the Nimmu-Padam-Darcha road, enhancing strategic depth and security logistics.
Nimmu-Padam-Darcha road:
- The development facilitates a safer location for an ordnance depot in the Zanskar Valley, away from China and Pakistan’s observation.
- Nimmu village is in Indus Valley, Padam village is in Zanskar Valley, Kargil district of Ladakh, and Darcha village is in Lahul-Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh.
- The road includes the world’s highest tunnel at Shinku La Pass (16,580 feet), promoting surface movement from Leh to Lahaul-Spiti, and is under construction with expected completion by 2025.
- This initiative marks the first all-weather road connection between Ladakh and the rest of India, addressing logistics challenges during Ladakh’s harsh winters.
- The Nimmu-Padam-Darcha road is the shortest of three axes to Ladakh, significantly reducing distance compared to existing routes, thereby enhancing troop mobilization speed and safety.
- However, the project has sparked concerns among locals about potential cultural and environmental impacts, including landscape changes in Zanskar and unnecessary construction in the Kargil-Zanskar section.
- Mountain passes along the road:
- Rohtang Pass
- Baralacha la
- Nakee la
- Lachulung la
- Tanglang la
- Fotu la
- Namika la
- Zoji la
- Pensi la
- Shinku la/Shingo la
Source: TH