Desk: The Central Government is accelerating the construction of strategic and tactical tunnels across the country to fortify India’s borders and enhance year-round connectivity in remote regions. From Jammu and Kashmir to the Northeast and the Western Ghats, these projects are expected to significantly strengthen military mobility along the borders with China and Pakistan, while also driving socio-economic development in difficult terrain.
According to a senior official from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the government has directed that six pending Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) be fast-tracked. Among the most significant projects in the current pipeline is the Shinku La Tunnel, planned to be 4.1 kilometers long.
Situated at an altitude of around 15,800 feet, the tunnel is expected to be among the highest in the world. It will provide Ladakh with a third alternative all-weather route via the Nimmu-Padam-Darcha axis. Strategically, the route is considered highly significant as it remains at a safe distance from international borders. Pre-construction work is targeted to begin by mid-year.
Strategic Advantage in the Northeast
In Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang sector, the proposed Smalldar Tunnel is expected to be a game-changer for the armed forces. The tunnel will enable the movement of heavy artillery and missile systems to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) while shielding them from satellite surveillance. The alignment has been finalized, and construction is likely to begin by 2027.
Similarly, the Moreh-Thuibul Tunnel in Manipur holds both strategic and economic importance. The project is considered a crucial component of India’s “Look East” policy and its integration with the Asian Highway network. It will facilitate faster military deployment and shorten trade routes with Southeast Asian nations.
The ministry is also preparing DPRs for two to three additional smaller tunnels ahead of the Nechipu Tunnel in the Tawang sector, aimed at ensuring uninterrupted movement of heavy defense equipment toward the LAC.
Focus Beyond the Himalayas
The government’s tunnel push is not limited to Himalayan regions. In Maharashtra, the proposed Khamshet-Kasargahat Tunnel is designed to ease traffic congestion in the Western Ghats. Plans are underway to streamline travel on the Mumbai–Pune and Mumbai–Goa routes by bypassing challenging ghat sections and reducing travel time.
In southern India, Kerala’s Nilgiri Subway Tunnel Project is being planned as an eco-sensitive infrastructure initiative. The tunnel will enhance connectivity between Wayanad and Malappuram while incorporating measures to protect traditional elephant corridors and minimize environmental impact.
Alternative Connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir
In Jammu and Kashmir, the Sinthan Top Twin Tunnel, aimed at connecting Anantnag with Kishtwar, is in the final stage of its DPR. The proposed 10–12 km-long tunnel will provide a reliable alternative route between Jammu and the Kashmir Valley during heavy snowfall, when the Sinthan Top pass remains closed.
Experts believe that the growing network of strategic tunnels will not only make India’s borders more secure but also transform connectivity, tourism, trade, and employment opportunities in remote and border areas across the country.