While the Darcha-Shinkula-Padum road is set to strengthen Indian Army at Ladakh by cutting short travel time between Manali and Kargil by one day, the Ladakh government is promoting this road to welcome tourists to the hidden valleys of the district.
The word “Kargil” has been sending shivers down the spine ever since India-Pakistan war was fought in 1999. As India won the war and entire district is free from war threat due to presence of Indian Army, tourism in the area is also picking up the pace. Kargil district shares a huge border with Himachal. But the district was too far to reach by road. Now that Darcha-Shinkula-Padum road has been built, Zanskar valley of Kargil is reachable in one day from Manali and Kargil town in just two days. Now the Ladakh government is asking visitors to travel through this new road to explore the new places which were earlier unreachable.
The tourism department of union territory of Ladakh is organising cultural and road shows in Himachal to promote cultural tourism in Zanskar valley and other parts of Kargil with major focus on this new road. The officials said the new road will lead visitors to hidden valleys. The officials, who organised one such cultural programme involving Ladakhi folk dance and music in Manali, said this road is going to become the foundation to new ties between Kargil and Himachal.
Punchok Tashi, who looks after tourism, rural development and all affairs of Zanskar valley as an elected member of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil, said, “Many people can think that why a government and officials are promoting just a road. The reality is that this is not just a road. This is path to freedom from remoteness. Many people of Zanskar had never gone out of the valley as they had to walk for days. Not all people were fortunate to visit remote Zanskar and some other sightseeing places of Kargil until Darcha-Padum road started taking shape. The scenic ancient monasteries, glaciers, valleys and plateaus which people used to see only on postcards can actually be visited now.”
He added that this road will now become an adventure destination for travellers from across the world. “We have dozens of century-old monasteries to explore. We are more focusing on cultural tourism. As Himachal is now closer than any other place, the cultural exchange will prove to be a boon for both Ladakh and Himachal.”
Punchok, along with many officials from Kargil district, cultural troops and stakeholders first visited Lahaul valley but could not organise road show and cultural programmes due to model code of conduct being enforced in the valley before panchayat elections. The team then met with officials, travel agents, hoteliers and other stakeholders in Manali. Many cultural programmes were also organised by them to showcase their culture.
Punchok said a large number of hotels, homestays and guesthouses are coming up in Kargil, particularly in Zanskar valley. He said the old Zanskar-Kargil road is also being widened while Zanskar-Nimmu road is under construction.
“Manali to Padum (Zanskar) will be a less than 8 hours of travel in two years as Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is making the highway wide and smooth. This road will remain open for most time of the year. People of Zanskar have started using this road very frequently. Many tourists are also travelling on this road. Hopefully, more and more people will get to know about this new road which will bring fortune to people of Kargil district,” he added.
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