India to have the world’s highest tunnel at Shinku La Pass.

Why in news?

• India is set to have the world’s highest tunnel at Shinku La(Shingo la) Pass, between Zanskar Valley in Ladakh and Lahaul Valley in Himachal Pradesh.
• The tunnel is set to be built by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) at an altitude of 16,580 feet above sea level. Length of the Shinku La tunnel – 4.25 km.

Details of the tunnel

• The BRO will start the construction of the record-breaking tunnel connecting Himachal Pradesh to the Union Territory(UT) of Ladakh by July 2022.
• The centre has constituted a BRO team “Project Yojak” to execute the project.
• The tunnel is expected to be operational for vehicles by 2025.
• The Shinku La Pass will host the south portal of the tunnel and the north portal will provide access to motorists to enter Lakhang and the Zanskar Valley.
• The tunnel will reduce the travel time from Himachal Pradesh to Ladakh.