The Border Roads Organisation (BRO), in collaboration with the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and the National Projects Construction Corporation, has commenced the third phase of the China Border Roads (ICBR) project.

This initiative aims to enhance the road network in eastern Ladakh, facilitating faster movement of security forces along the Line of Actual Control. While some key roads under Phase II of ICBR are still under construction, most of the phase has been completed. India and China share a 3,488 km border spanning Ladakh, Arunachal, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim. The Union government has identified new roads under the third phase of ICBR.

Under ICBR Phases-I and II, 73 roads were identified as strategic, with 61 of them assigned to BRO. In eastern Ladakh, five new roads have been identified under phase-III, which are to be constructed by BRO and CPWD. In many cases, single or double-lane roads have been upgraded to four lanes.

Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated the first blast for the Shinku La tunnel,which will provide all-weather connectivity from Manali to Leh. The 4.1-km tunnel is anticipated to facilitate the movement of armed forces and equipment.