Shri Nitin Gadkari launches Kargil-Zanskar road

Upgradation of Kargil-Zanskar road in Ladakh

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, has announced a significant development in the infrastructure of Ladakh. He revealed that the long-overdue upgrade and widening of the 230-kilometer-long Kargil-Zanskar Road, a crucial segment of National Highway 301, is finally underway. Shri Gadkari shared this exciting news through a series of tweets, shedding light on the project’s progress and the challenges it faces.

This extensive project has been divided into 8 packages, and the completion of Package 5 has already been marked as a success. The Union Minister further disclosed that Packages 6 and 7 are slated for completion within the current fiscal year. These three packages together encompass a staggering 97.726 kilometers of road, featuring the construction of 13 major bridges, 18 minor bridges, and an astounding 620 box culverts.

The terrain in this region presents formidable challenges, with a deep gorge on one side and a steep hill on the other. The harsh environmental conditions, characterised by sparse vegetation, low oxygen levels, and extreme cold, add to the complexity of the project. Additionally, over half of this stretch lacks any form of human habitation and network connectivity, making it an even more daunting task.

Shri Gadkari emphasised that this ambitious initiative reflects a strong commitment to achieving efficient, trouble-free, and environmentally conscious mobility in the border region. He attributed this visionary undertaking to the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, underscoring the government’s dedication to improving infrastructure and connectivity in challenging terrains like Ladakh.

48