Himachal to Ladakh: In a major push to upgrade road infrastructure, tourism, and strategic connectivity in the Himalayan region, the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has announced plans to build three new tunnels at Baralacha La, Lachulung La, and Tanglang La along the crucial Manali-Leh highway.
The proposed projects aim to establish all-weather connectivity between Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh, significantly cutting down both travel time and distance on one of India’s most critical mountain routes.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari made the announcement a few days ago during the breakthrough ceremony of the main tunnel at the eastern portal of the Zojila Tunnel Project at Minamarg in Kargil district.
Highlighting the success of the Atal Tunnel, Gadkari stated that the Central Government is now prioritizing direct connectivity between Manali and Leh-Ladakh.
The first project involves a 13-km-long tunnel at Baralacha La in Himachal, planned at an estimated cost of Rs 8,800 crore. Its Detailed Project Report (DPR) is expected to be ready by October.
The second proposed tunnel, spanning approximately 11 km, will be built at Lachulung La in Ladakh at an estimated cost of Rs 4,500 crore. The DPR for this project is likely to be completed before March next year.
The third tunnel at Tanglang La will be around 5 km long with an estimated cost of Rs 250 crore. Its DPR is scheduled to be finalized before December.
According to Gadkari, this extensive tunnel network will shorten the Manali-Leh route by nearly 50 km. It will also reduce the current travel time from about 10 hours to nearly six hours, ensuring a safer, faster, and more reliable journey throughout the year.
The announcement has been widely welcomed by tourism stakeholders in Manali, who termed the projects transformative for the region.
Manali Hoteliers Association president Roshan Thakur and former chief Anup Thakur stated that the improved connectivity will significantly boost tourism in Kullu-Manali, attracting more visitors from Chandigarh, Delhi, and Ladakh. They added that the upgraded road infrastructure will create new economic avenues for hoteliers, transport operators, and allied tourism businesses.
Beyond tourism, the Manali-Leh highway holds immense strategic value as a vital supply route for transporting personnel, equipment, and materials to the border areas of Ladakh.
Officials noted that the upcoming tunnels will strengthen military logistics, minimize weather-induced disruptions, and ensure reliable year-round access for civilians and tourists to the high-altitude region.
The network is being looked at as the next major phase of infrastructure development in the Himalayas following the successful execution of the Atal Tunnel, which drastically cut travel time between Manali and Rohtang Pass while unlocking year-round access to the Lahaul valley.
