Post standoff, 3D printed accommodation for troops in Eastern Ladakh

Leh to have all weather connectivity with alternate axis by 2026

As standoff began with China in Eastern Ladakh in 2020 and the Army mobilised thousands of troops to the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Corps of Engineers used 3D printing to construct 22,000 temperature controlled, re-locatable habitat in the high-altitude areas, according to sources in the security establishment. On the connectivity front, forward areas of Leh will have all weather connectivity with alternate axis under construction by 2026 boosting the Army’s movement and sustenance to forward areas, a source said.

“With progress on the alternate axis we will have 365-day connectivity into Leh. It will be a big boost to our sustenance and logistics of the Army in the Ladakh sector,” one source said on November 15, 2022. “Work on 4.1 km long Shinkun La tunnel which will start shortly and the planned target is 2026 we should have the tunnel and entire axis coming through. Then it will be 365 days, the source stated.

The Corps of Engineers which will celebrate its raising day 242nd raising day on November 18 has recently undertaken major induction of technology and equipment, as a result of which, sources said, capacity of combat Engineers has gone up by 3-4 times.

Elaborating, the source said Atul tunnel provides unhindered access to Lahaul and Spiti valley and beyond that three more tunnels are required to be constructed, Baralach La, La Chung La and Tanglang La tunnels, with total distance being approximately 35kms. “This requires huge investment, time and effort.”

A road will provide alternate connectivity to Western Ladakh and the Zanskar Valley directly from the Manali axis. It is a 298 km National High Double Lane (NHDL) specification road and is 65% completed. The road also includes the 4.1 km twin tube Shinkun La tunnel for providing all weather connectivity, officials noted.

Atal tunnel inaugurated in October 2020 was designed for 3000 passenger cars per day but almost 7500 vehicles are crossing it everyday.

Work on the 255 km long strategic Darbuk-Skyok-Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) road is complete. The 35 bridges on it are currently being upgraded to Class-70 specifications, which will allow them to handle heavy tanks and artillery. The upgradation is expected to be completed in 1-2 years, the source stated.