Srinagar, Aug 07 (KNO): The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has provided an update on the ongoing construction of the Turtuk-Hanu Road in the Union Territory of Ladakh, a crucial project for both the local population and army personnel.
The road, which connects Turtuk and Hanu, spans a total of 77.35 km. Currently, work on Package-I (0.00 km to 4.031 km) and Package-III (72.35 km to 77.00 km) has been completed, with the project funded under the Special Development Package of Ladakh at an estimated cost of Rs. 59.65 crore, reads a reply tabled in the Lok Sabha, a copy of which lies in possession of the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
The major remaining stretch, Package-II, covering 68.32 km, was approved in May 2025 under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) scheme, with an estimated cost of Rs 229.52 crore.
While the pace of construction has raised concerns, the Ministry acknowledged that there have been delays in certain segments of the road. These delays are primarily due to the challenging terrain, weather conditions, and the complex nature of the project in the hilly region.
To address the issues, the Ministry has taken active measures to expedite construction, including better coordination with local agencies and streamlining resource allocation.
Furthermore, under the CRIF scheme, guidelines have been established ensuring that projects in hilly areas such as Ladakh are completed within 36 months.
With the necessary approvals in place and measures to accelerate work, the road is expected to be completed in the near future, enhancing connectivity for the local people as well as security forces deployed in the area.
The Turtuk-Hanu Road is part of the government's larger effort to improve infrastructure in Ladakh, which is strategically important and vital for the development of the region—(KNO)