Alternative roads for year-round connectivity to Ladakh by 2013-1

New Delhi, May 17 (UNI) The Border Roads Organisation's (BRO) proposal for construction of tunnels and alternative roads to make Ladakh accessible all around the year has been approved by the government, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

Defence Minister A K Antony said, in a written reply, that this would include the construction of 8.82-km-long tunnel at Rohtang along with approach and alternative roads to Leh via Darcha-Padam-Nimu at a cost of Rs 1355.82 crore.

The work is proposed to be completed by 2013-14, he said, adding that with the completion, the distance between Manali and Leh would be reduced by 47 km and the road would be avalable to users for a longer time in the year. ''This will result in the savings in cost of vehicular operation for users and cost of air maintenance for the Army, the Minister said.

This will also give boost to socio-economic development of the region by way of growth in industries related to tourism, agriculture and horticulture in parts of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, Mr Antony noted.

UNI