India Constructing Third Road Link To Ladakh To Enable Faster And Safer Movement Of Troops

In a major boost for border connectivity, India is working on construction of a new road from Manali to Leh in a bid to increase the the capability of the armed forces to rush troops and battle tanks to Pakistan and China fronts in Ladakh sector without being observed by the enemy, reports Hindustan Times.

Once completed, the strategically important road will provide the third link between the high altitude terrains of Ladakh sector and the rest of the nation. The road will pass through Nimu-Padam-Darcha axis and would save a lot of travelling time in comparison to the existing routes passing through the Zojila pass from Srinagar and the other route from Manali to Leh through Sarchu.

This gains significance as not only will it save the troops at least three to four hours in journey, but will also eliminate any possible scope for Pakistan or China to monitor or sabotage the movement of troops to Leh.

It should be noted that during the 1999 Kargil war, the Army had moved its men and goods through Zozila, which passes through the Drass-Kargil axis, and was subjected to frequent bombarding and shelling by Pakistani troops from positions in high altitude mountains alongside the road.

India is also working on building of an alternative route to the strategically vital Sub-Sector North which includes Daulat Beg Oldi, for the past three years. The work has already started from the world's highest motorable road at Khardung La pass.