Modi Initiates Shinkun La Tunnel Project

Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated the first blast for the Shinkun La Tunnel project in Ladakh, which will be the world's highest tunnel at an altitude of 15,800 feet. This 4.1 km-long twin-tube tunnel, part of the Nimmu-Padam-Darcha road, aims to provide all-weather connectivity from Manali to Leh, significantly enhancing military mobility and logistics in the region. The project, costing Rs 1,681 crore, is expected to be completed in about four years and will serve as a third route to Ladakh amid ongoing India-China tensions. Modi's virtual inauguration coincided with the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, where he paid homage to soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the 1999 Kargil War. Nationwide, India commemorated the Kargil War anniversary with ceremonies and tributes, including events in Secunderabad, Hyderabad, and Guntur.