Member of Parliament, Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal posed questions to the Minister of Road Transport and Highways on the issue of road connectivity in Ladakh in the ongoing Parliament session. 

MP Ladakh sought answers to the queries related to road connectivity, the initiatives taken by the Central Government to develop the aging narrow road infrastructure in UT Ladakh which render its road transport system inefficient, specific efforts taken keeping in mind the geo-climatic conditions and the steps taken to meet the challenges of developing a long-lasting and low-maintenance road to border areas.  

In response, the Minister of Road Transport and Highways shared that to make roads capable of taking increased traffic several roads and tunnels in the UT are being upgraded from existing CI-9/ CI-5 to NHDL/NHSL specifications, such as Sumdo-Photoksar-Yalchung, Wangle-Fangi La-Sumdo, Leh-Chalunka, Hanuthang-Handen Broke, Turtuk-Zingpal, Khaltse-Batalik, Kargil-Dumgil, Shyok-Agham-Khalsar, Nimmu-Padam-Darcha and Kargil-Zanskar among others.

The Minister also informed that the Border Road Organisation (BRO) has undertaken many new initiatives to speed up road construction. BRO has taken in hand execution of surfacing works with cementations base/sub-base in eastern Ladakh and has also constructed a 1400 ft span Permanent Bridge using micro piling in substructure at an altitude of 14500 ft in record 17 working months. In addition, Geo-Web and Geo-Cell are being used extensively for 
surfacing and permanent works.

Regarding the steps taken by the Govt. to meet the challenges of developing long-lasting and low-maintenance roads to border areas of Ladakh, it was informed that interlocking blocks are being used in mountain passes to provide a good riding surface in all weather. Also, tunnels like Tanglangla, Shinkula, Lachungla are being planned to further improve the connectivity in the region for which DPRs are under progress.