Nubra: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena on Tuesday inaugurated the ₹27.18-crore Udmaroo Bridge over the Shayok River in Nubra district, a project aimed at improving connectivity and reducing travel time in the region.
According to the administration, the bridge will shorten the distance between Udmaroo and Hundri villages and Terchey and Skuru villages by nearly 35 kilometres, while providing all-weather connectivity. It will also improve access to Sham Gombo (Yarma Gonbo), a prominent Buddhist pilgrimage site.
Constructed under the Union Territory Administration’s Special Development Package (SDP), the three-span truss bridge has a 70R loading capacity and is supported by around 230 metres of approach roads. Officials said the project is expected to directly benefit nearly 1,000 residents of the surrounding villages.
Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor described the bridge as a significant milestone in Nubra’s development and said infrastructure projects in Ladakh were aimed at improving connectivity and expanding opportunities for people living in remote border areas.
He said the improved road link would facilitate year-round access to Sham Gombo, promote religious tourism and create livelihood opportunities through homestays, transport services, handicrafts and other tourism-related activities.
Saxena said projects such as the Udmaroo Bridge would also strengthen agriculture, improve accessibility and contribute to the overall socio-economic development of the region.
He congratulated all those associated with the project and reiterated the administration’s commitment to accelerating infrastructure development across Ladakh’s border areas.