The strategically important town in Jammu and Kashmir has got a third axis of approach via Manali with the Border Road Organization is all set to start the construction work in Kargil in Jammu and Kashmir and Manali in Himachal Pradesh. Up till now, a trekking foot trail that connected Darcha in Lahaul valley of Himachal Pradesh to Padum in Zanskar valley of Jammu and Kashmir across the 16,600 feet Shinku La pass has been widened and converted into a motor worthy road by the Border Roads Organization (BRO). Darcha located 32 km ahead of Keylong on the Manali-Leh highway and commands 148 kms distance from Darcha to Padum. Padum is already connected to Kargil with a single-lane black top road maintained by the state government and it takes about six to eight hours to cover the 230-km distance. In fact, connectivity between Padum and Darcha was achieved recently when dozers from both sides met at Lakpan village, about 12 kms ahead of the Shinku La, marking a significant milestone, Commander, 38 Border Roads Task Force, Col AK Awasthi said.
