This document summarizes the status of the Turtuk-Hanu road construction project in the Union Territory of Ladakh as of August 7, 2025, as addressed in Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3158. The road, with a total length of 77.35 km, is under the purview of the Union Territory of Ladakh, not the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, which primarily handles National Highways. However, the Ministry provides funding to Union Territories for state road development and maintenance through the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) Scheme.
Currently, Package I (Km 0.00 to Km 4.031) and Package III (Km 72.35 to Km 77.00) of the project, sanctioned under the Special Development Package of UT of Ladakh, have been completed at costs of Rs. 13.78 crores and Rs. 45.87 crores, respectively. Package II, covering 68.32 km, has been approved under the CRIF Scheme in May 2025 with an estimated cost of Rs. 229.52 crores. The CRIF Act of 2000 stipulates a completion timeframe of no more than 36 months for Hill States, North Eastern States unless permitted by the State Government/UT.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: The Indian government ministry responsible for the development and maintenance of national highways.
SHRI MOHMAD HANEEFA: Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question in Lok Sabha.
SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI: The Minister of Road Transport and Highways who answered the question.
Turtuk Hanu road: The road under discussion, located in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
Union Territory of Ladakh: The region where the Turtuk Hanu road is located.
Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF): A fund used for the development and maintenance of State Roads.
CRIF Act, 2000: The Central Road and Infrastructure Fund Act, which governs the allocation of funds for road development.
Hanuthang: Starting point of road, linking to Turtuk, in Ladakh.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3158
ANSWERED ON 07TH AUGUST, 2025
TURTUK-HANU ROAD
3158. SHRI MOHMAD HANEEFA:
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a) the current status of the construction of the Turtuk - Hanu road
in the Union Territory of Ladakh;
(b) whether the Government is aware of the slow pace of
construction of above road;
(c) whether the reasons for the delay have been identified, if so, the
details thereof;
(d) whether the Government has taken any steps to expedite and
complete the construction of the above road since the same is vital
for the movement of local people and army personnel, if so, the
details thereof; and
(e) the timeline fixed for the completion of construction work for
the said project?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)(a) to (e) The Government in the Ministry of Road Transport and
Highways is primarily responsible for development and
maintenance of National Highways (NHs).
Further, Funds are allocated to the State Governments/Union
Territories (UTs) for development and maintenance of State Roads
under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) Scheme as
per the provisions of the amended CRIF Act, 2000.
The road linking Hanuthang to Turtuk is a road belonging to
the Union Territory of Ladakh of about 77.35 Km length, of which
Package-I (Km 0.00 to Km 4.031) and Package-III(Km 72.35 to Km
77.00) sanctioned under Special Development Package of UT of
Ladakh at an estimated cost of Rs. 13.78 crores and Rs. 45.87
crores respectively has been completed.
Project under Package-II in 68.32 Km length has been approved under
CRIF Scheme in May 2025 at an estimated cost of Rs. 229.52 crores.
Based on the section 7A and 11 of CRIF Act, 2000, Government
finalized the criteria for allocation of funds for development and
maintenance of State roads under the CRIF Scheme, which inter-alia
provides that the period of completion shall not exceed 36 months for
Hill States, North Eastern States and 24 months for other States unless
permitted by the State Government/UT.
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