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Work on five road projects with a total length of 255 km in Ladakh has started, which will give better access to the Line of Actual Control (LAC). These five road projects will be a boost for both the military and civil population. The Hanuthang-Handanbroke-Zungpal-Turtuk road construction of 26.6 km length will improve connectivity to the Shyok Valley. In Shyok, the Chinese have objected to Indian infrastructure in the past, which was a reason that led to the standoff that began last May. Across the Stakpuchan range, inter-valley connectivity between Hanuthang-Handanbroke and Zungpal-Turtuk would be better, the Ministry of Defence said. This will also reduce the travel time to 3.5 hours from the present 9 hours to Turtuk from Leh without passing the treacherous Khardungla pass, a ministry statement said. The project was launched by Lt Governor of Ladakh Radha Krishna Mathur on October 1 from Turtuk. Upgradation of four major single-lane roads has also started, the defence ministry said. A defence ministry statement said that these roads are 50 km road Kargil-Dumgal, 78 km road Khalse-Batallik, which will also include construction of a tunnel at Hambotingla, 70 km road Khalsar-Shyok Via Agham, and 31 Km Tangtse-Lukung. These roads are used widely by travelers to reach tourist destinations. On 3rd September 2021, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was inked between the Ladakh administration and the border roads organisation (BRO) for the roads and tunnels' construction and improvement. This work was assigned to the BRO for the development of connectivity in the hilly area. The LG dedicated the five road projects to the Ladakh's people and praised the work carried out by BRO, especially in the Ladakh's border regions. He conveyed his gratitude for building road infrastructure to BRO, which not only supported the Army in its security requirements but had given a boost to tourism for socio-economic development. BRO is already managing a 5,000 km road and will be building 1,500 km more roads soon. Image Source Also read: Gadkari inaugurates NH projects worth Rs 4,075 cr in Ahmednagar