Centre Confirms Delays, Approves Major Package for Strategic Turtuk–Hanu Road in Ladakh

SRINAGAR: The Government of India has acknowledged delays in the construction of the Turtuk–Hanu road in the Union Territory of Ladakh, but has approved a fresh package of over Rs 229 crore to expedite the project, citing its strategic importance for local mobility and defence logistics.

Responding to a question raised by Ladakh MP Mohmad Haneefa in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Jairam Gadkari stated that while two sections of the road have already been completed, a major 68-kilometre stretch remains under construction and has now been brought under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) scheme.

The Turtuk–Hanu road, spanning approximately 77.35 kilometres, is critical as it links border villages near the Line of Control in northern Ladakh and is often used by the Indian Army for movement in the strategically sensitive region.

According to the Ministry, Package-I (from kilometre 0.00 to 4.031) and Package-III (from kilometre 72.35 to 77.00) have already been completed at an estimated cost of Rs 13.78 crore and Rs 45.87 crore respectively. However, the longest section—Package-II, covering 68.32 kilometres—was sanctioned only in May 2025 under the CRIF scheme with an estimated budget of Rs 229.52 crore.

The Ministry said the delay in progress was linked to the staggered nature of funding and approvals, as well as logistical challenges typically faced in high-altitude Himalayan construction. It did not attribute the delay to any single agency but affirmed that the matter has received urgent attention.

Under Section 7A and 11 of the CRIF Act, 2000, projects in hill states like Ladakh are expected to be completed within 36 months unless extended by the local administration. The Ministry confirmed that it is now working in coordination with the Union Territory administration to ensure timely completion within the mandated timeline.

The road, seen as a lifeline for remote communities in the Shyok and Nubra valleys, has long been a demand of locals for improved connectivity and access to essential services. Its strategic role has also grown amid heightened border sensitivities with neighbouring Pakistan and China.

The government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that critical border infrastructure in Ladakh is prioritised, with emphasis on both civilian access and defence preparedness.