LEH: The BJP Ladakh unit accorded a grand welcome to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari as he announced a fresh slate of road and tunnel projects aimed at strengthening connectivity across Ladakh, reducing travel time and giving a fillip to tourism and economic activity in the high-altitude region.
The announcement came in the backdrop of the breakthrough of the Zoji La Tunnel, a development widely viewed as a turning point in efforts to secure all-weather surface connectivity between Ladakh and the rest of the country.
Led by BJP Ladakh State President Tashi Gyaltson Khachu, former Member of Parliament Thupstan Chhewang; former Chief Executive Councillor, Leh, Adv Tashi Gyalson; former Chief Executive Councillor and BJP State Vice President Gyal P Wangyal; and former Chairman of the Legislative Council and BJP State Vice President Haji Anayat Ali and party leaders and workers accorded warm welcome to Shri Nitin Gadkari alongside Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and other dignitaries during the event held to mark the tunnel breakthrough.
Addressing the gathering, Gadkari outlined a series of major infrastructure initiatives for Ladakh, including the Leh South Bypass, Leh North Bypass, Fatu La Tunnel, Kela Tunnel and a network of strategic tunnels along the Manali-Leh axis. The proposed projects are intended to ease traffic movement, improve accessibility to remote areas and enhance year-round connectivity in one of the country’s most challenging terrains.
The projects are expected to complement the Zoji La Tunnel, which is poised to reduce the region’s dependence on weather conditions that frequently disrupt road links during winter months. Improved connectivity is also anticipated to facilitate the movement of goods and services, strengthen tourism circuits and support broader economic growth across Ladakh.
The event assumed added significance as it celebrated the breakthrough blast achieved on June 9 at the Zoji La Tunnel, a crucial component of India’s efforts to improve transport infrastructure in the Himalayan region. Once operational, the tunnel is expected to provide uninterrupted connectivity along a route that has historically remained vulnerable to prolonged seasonal closures.
Senior BJP leaders from Leh and Kargil, public representatives and government officials also attended the programme. Those present included BJP Chief Spokesperson Nawang Samstan, District President Leh Rigzin Chubi, District President Sham Konchok Stak, District President Kargil Assadullah, District President Drass Fayaz Ahmad Quri, former State Kisan Morcha President Tsering Morup, Cooperative Cell Head Tsering Mutup and Protocol In-charge Rigzin Tamchos.
Councillors from Kargil, including Adv Riyaz, Councillor Padma, Councillor Rigzin Gurmet and nominated Councillor and Haj Committee Member Ghulam Mehdi, were also present.
