PM virtually witnesses first blast of Shinkun La Tunnel project

New Delhi, July 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually witnessed the first blast of the Shinkun La Tunnel project on Friday.

The project, consisting of a 4.1 km long twin-tube tunnel at around 15,800 feet on the Nimu-Padam-Darcha Road, aims to provide all-weather connectivity to Leh.

“This tunnel will open doors of new possibilities for the development and better future of Ladakh,” PM Modi said.

Once completed, the Shinkun La Tunnel would be the highest in the world, facilitating the swift movement of armed forces and fostering economic and social development in Ladakh.

The PM underlined significant developments in Ladakh, emphasising the transformative impact of the Shinkun La Tunnel.

He said that the tunnel would ensure year-round connectivity for Ladakh, easing the region’s extreme weather hardships.

“This tunnel will open doors of new possibilities for the development and better future of Ladakh,” PM Modi said, congratulating the people of Ladakh.

Highlighting the government’s commitment to Ladakh's residents, he mentioned the evacuation of citizens from the Kargil region during the COVID-19 pandemic, recalling the quarantine zone set up in Jaisalmer.

Modi noted the government's efforts to enhance living conditions, citing a six-fold budget increase from Rs 1100 crore to Rs 6000 crore over the past five years.

“Be it roads, electricity, water, education, power supply, employment, every direction of Ladakh is transforming,” he said.

The PM pointed out over 90 percent coverage of drinking water in Ladakh households under the Jal Jeevan Mission, the upcoming Sindhu Central University, efforts to establish a 4G network, and the ongoing 13-km Zojila tunnel project for all-weather connectivity.

Addressing border area development, he said that the Border Road Organisation (BRO) had completed over 330 projects, including the Sela Tunnel, showcasing India’s capabilities and direction.

PM Modi emphasised the importance of modernising military technologies, noting that the defence sector’s need for upgrades was previously neglected.

“In the last 10 years, defence reforms have been prioritised, making our forces more capable and self-reliant,” he said.

The PM highlighted that a significant portion of defence procurement was now allocated to the Indian defence industry, with 25 percent reserved for the private sector in the defence and research development budget.

“As a result of these efforts, India’s defence production has crossed 1.5 lakh crore,” he said, expressing pride in India’s emerging role as an arms exporter.

PM Modi lauded the Agnipath Scheme, aimed at reducing the average age of Indian forces and keeping them battle-ready.

He criticised past governments for ignoring the modernisation of the Air Force fleet and politicising sensitive defence issues.

“The truth is that the Agnipath scheme will increase the strength of the country and the country will also get capable youth," the PM said.

Rejecting claims that the Agnipath Scheme was designed to reduce pension burdens, he said that the pension burden of newly recruited soldiers would not materialise for 30 years.

“We have respected this decision taken by the armed forces because for us the security of the country is more important than politics,” PM Modi said.

He also addressed past government failures, including unfulfilled promises on One Rank One Pension and the lack of a war memorial.

“These are the same people who did not build a war memorial for the martyrs even after seven decades of independence, did not provide enough bulletproof jackets to our soldiers deployed on the border, and kept ignoring Kargil Vijay Diwas,” the PM said.