The Union Cabinet on Wednesday (15 Feb) approved the construction of Shinku La Tunnel to provide all-weather connectivity between Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh.

• The Shinku La or Shingo La is a mountain pass located on the border between HP and Ladakh. 
• The 4.1-km-long tunnel will be completed by December 2025 at a cost of Rs 1,681 crore. 
• It is at an altitude of 5,091 metres. In 2016, the Border Road Organization built a road to the pass. However, the road couldn’t be accessed during winter and large-wheeled vehicles couldn’t pass through.