The Strategic Significance of the Newly Inaugurated Shyok Tunnel in Ladakh

We clarify the strategic significance of this tunnel, and the bigger infrastructure improvement push within the Ladakh area within the final 5 years.

Shyok Tunnel

It’s a 920-metre cut-and-cover tunnel on the 255 km lengthy DS-DBO street, which is the one operational street connecting Durbuk to the Depsang Plains and DBO within the north. DBO hosts one of many world’s highest operational airfields, which is a key strategic air infrastructure for India.

What makes the Shyok tunnel strategically important is its skill to supply round-the-year connectivity to areas near the LAC. It might notably assist in the short mobilisation and redeployment of troops in case of any emergency.

DSDBO street.

The world witnesses excessive climate situations, which may briefly lower off street connectivity within the absence of a tunnel. Components of the street additionally stay beneath direct commentary of the Chinese language troops.

The tunnel will probably scale back dependence on air upkeep and considerably resolve logistical challenges for the Indian army within the troublesome terrains of japanese Ladakh. It might additionally present connectivity to the border inhabitants of Ladakh to the hinterland.

What’s the alternate path to DBO in case the DS-DBO street is affected?

The DS-DBO street is among the two roads that’s geared toward connecting the decrease area of japanese Ladakh to DBO. The Shyok tunnel has been constructed on this street.

An alternate street to Depsang Plains and DBO is being constructed to attach Sassoma alongside the Nubra river to the Sasser La and Gapshan earlier than becoming a member of the prevailing path to DBO. Sassoma is round 90 km from the DBO. This street has been beneath building for the previous couple of years and has almost been accomplished. Officers have mentioned they plan to operationalise this street by subsequent 12 months.

Notably, Depsang Plains was one of many legacy friction factors between India and China on the LAC, even earlier than the army standoff started in 2020. Disengagement of troops was agreed to by the 2 nations alongside the LAC in October 2024.

What infrastructural developments have taken place in Ladakh since 2020?

With 1000’s of further troops getting deployed within the Ladakh area following the Galwan Valley clashes in 2020, the infrastructure improvement of the area has elevated within the final 5 years. China has additionally constructed infrastructure on their aspect through the years.

To facilitate the troopers’ fast deployment to the LAC and their lodging and residing, there was an aggressive building of army infrastructure — together with further roads, tracks, bridges, everlasting defences, habitat and shelters for troops who now occupy areas near LAC, which had been unoccupied earlier.

Examples embrace roads connecting Khalste to Batalik, Kargil to Dumgil and Khalsar to Shyok and Tangtse to Lukung and a tunnel at Hambotingla and a tunnel on DS-DBO street. Moreover, bridges on the strategic DS-DBO street are being upgraded to Class 70 specs, which may carry a weight of as much as 70 tonnes.

Growth and enchancment of helipads and superior touchdown floor at a number of strategic places of Ladakh, had been additionally being carried out. Earlier this month, the Nyoma airbase in japanese Ladakh was operationalised with IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh touchdown a C-130J transport plane on the airstrip there, which is at a peak of 13,700 km and is about 30 km from the border with China. Fighters, transport plane and helicopters can function from the bottom.

Different infrastructure developed embrace communication networks until the ahead posts, logistics bases, underground shelters, safe and strong provide chain, and enough stocking services, apart from habitats and technical storage services for heavy platforms. Everlasting defences and protecting shelters have additionally been constructed for the over the previous couple of years for the troops deployed there.

The BRO, which has been developing most of India’s border infrastructure initiatives, has incurred an expenditure of Rs 16,690 crore in 2024-25, and a goal of Rs 18,700 crore has been set for the 2025-26 fiscal.