Lok Sabha Question No. 2439 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-11
Subject: Road Conectivity in Ladakh Region
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: THUPSTAN CHHEWANG

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2439

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 TH  MARCH, 2016

## ROAD  CONNECTIVITY  IN  LADAKH  REGION

## 2439.  SHRI  THUPSTAN CHHEWANG:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  Ladakh  region  of  the  Jammu  and  Kashmir  State  remains  isolated approximately  for  six  months  during  winter  due  to  the  absence  of  road  connectivity having a direct impact on our defence preparedness;
- (b) whether  the  Ministry  is  considering  construction  of  roads  to  provide  round  the year connectivity to Ladakh;
- (c) if  so,  the details of the road project under construction and those proposed to be taken up along with the details of funds allocated to each of these projects;
- (d) the expected time frame for completion of each of these projects and the amount spent on them upto the current financial year;
- (e) the  current  status  of  construction  of  yemo-padum-darcha  road  and  the  expected time frame for its completion; and
- (f) whether  the  Ministry  proposes  to  set  up  a  special  task  force  of  the  BRO  for expediting progress of this important road project and if so, the details thereof?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF DEFENCE                                            (SHRI MANOHAR PARRIKAR)

j{kk ea=h

¼Jh euksgj ijhZdj½

<!-- image -->

<!-- image -->

- (a) Yes, Madam. Due to heavy snow fall during winter season, the roads leading to Ladakh region remain closed for 5-6 months every year.
- (b) Yes, Madam.

(c) & (d): The  present  status  of  projects  under  construction  are  as under:

| Name of road             |   Length (in km) |   Estimated cost (Rs in crores) |   Amount spent (Rs in Crores) |   Expected time frame for completion |
|--------------------------|------------------|---------------------------------|-------------------------------|--------------------------------------|
| Srinagar - Kargil -Leh   |              418 |                         1092.31 |                        956.99 |                                 2019 |
| Manali -Sarchu- Upsi-Leh |              472 |                         1055.92 |                        713.54 |                                 2020 |

Moreover, to negotiate the passes and to provide all weather road connectivity in the Ladakh region, in addition to the roads mentioned in table  above,  Rohtang  tunnel  on  road  Manali-Sarchu-Leh  of  length measuring  8.802km  is  under  construction  with  date  of  completion  as August 2019 and Approval in Principle to carry out feasibility study of Baralachla  tunnel,  Tanglangla  tunnel  on  road  Manali-Sarchu-Leh  and Shinkula tunnel on Nimmu-Padam-Darcha has been accorded.

Further, to achieve all weather connectivity through National Highway, construction of Z-Morh tunnel and Zozila Tunnel are undertaken by  Ministry  of  Road  Transport  and  Highways  (MoRT&H).  The  expected target  date  of  completion  for  Z-Morh  tunnel  is  2020.  Zozila  tunnel  is  at tender stage and no timeline can be mentioned at present. Both the tunnels are  to  be  constructed  on  Build,  Own,  Transfer  (BOT)  -Annuity  mode  of execution and funds are to spent by the concessionaires till the completion of project. The concessionaire shall be paid Semi-Annual Annuity amount by the Government only after successful completion of the project as per the concession agreement during the operation and maintenance period.

……3/-

:  3  :

- (e) The  current  status  of  Nimmu-Padam-Darcha  road  is  mentioned below:
- (f) Presently two Border roads task Forces are deployed for construction of Nimmu-Padam-Darcha road and there is no proposal to set up special task force.

| Name of road        |   Length (in km) |   Estimated cost (Rs in Crores) |   Amount spent (Rs. in Crores) |   Expected time frame for completion |
|---------------------|------------------|---------------------------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------------|
| Nimmu- Padam-Darcha |              298 |                         1212.79 |                         204.51 |                                 2019 |

******