UT leadership says ‘Roads in border areas will strengthen national security, improve socio-economic prospects of Ladakhi people’
Arteev Sharma
Jammu: In a major infrastructure push for the Union Territory of Ladakh, the Central Government has approved 12 strategically-important road projects and two major bridges with a cumulative worth of Rs 931 crore under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) and the Setu Bandhan Scheme.
According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, an amount of Rs 829.72 crore has been allocated for 12 road projects under CRIF out of the total approved projects, while Rs 102.10 crore has been sanctioned for two bridge projects under the Setu Bandhan Scheme.
Local representatives believed that the new infrastructure projects would improve strategic connectivity in border areas, especially those adjoining Pakistan and China, while also fostering economic growth and supporting tourism, healthcare, and education in remote regions.
The key projects include Handenbroke-Zingpal Highway which is a 68.32 km-long single-lane road project to be constructed at a cost of Rs 229.52 crore in Leh district under Project Vijayak. The route will connect Turtuk and Hanu villages, fulfilling a long-standing demand of the Turtuk block and boosting both local mobility and national security.
Similarly, the upgradation of a 10-km-long Khangral-Sanjak road stretch in Kargil district to National Highways Double Lane (NHDL) standards at a cost of Rs 98.89 crore, has also been sanctioned under Project Vijayak.
Additional projects include the upgradation of the 18.15-km Khangral-Sanjak road (₹91.43 crore), widening of Hemis Chomoling habitation road (Rs 14 crore), and a 5-km link road from Richen Karcheykhar to Bhaho Bridge in Kargil Rs 9.98 crore).
A vital Rs 110 crore Kanji to Rangdum road project in Leh to improve internal connectivity, while Shagaran-Tachala Road and Spituk to Rumbak, Rumchung roads approved for Rs 28 crore and Rs 45 crore respectively, with several other minor projects totaling Rs 202 crore are expected to improve socio-economic prospects of several border villages in the region.
Under the Setu Bandhan scheme, two major bridge constructions have been approved. “Shayok River Bridge, which is a 540-meter span bridge at Lakjung in Leh district, has been sanctioned at a cost of Rs 93 crore while a 50-meter double-lane Suru River Bridge at Brakoo in Kargil, will replace a damaged wooden structure with an estimated cost of Rs 9.10 crore,” the notification said.
In a related development, the previously approved project “Road from Korzok Nurboo Sumdo to Spiti” costing ₹136 crore has been de-sanctioned following recommendations from the UT administration.
Reacting to the announcement, Ladakh MP Mohammad Haneefa Jan expressed his gratitude to the central government. “I am deeply thankful to Nitin Gadkari for approving Rs 931 crore worth of CRIF projects for Ladakh. This is a major boost for our region, especially in road connectivity, tourism, and overall development,” he said, highlighting the importance of the Handenbrok-Zingpal highway for his constituents.
Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of LAHDC Leh, Tashi Gyalson, also welcomed the approval, calling it a “significant step” in improving connectivity and accelerating regional development. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari for their continued support.
Former J&K Legislative Council Chairman and senior BJP leader Haji Anayat Ali also expressed his gratitude to the Centre, calling the projects “crucial for Ladakh’s growth”.
