Shimla, June 19
The Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) is introducing a new bus service that will connect Keylong to Kargil via Darcha and the picturesque Shinkula Pass, traversing through the Zanskar Valley. This initiative, requested by the Kargil Development Authority, marks the inaugural operation of HRTC buses on this route, with a trial run of a 37-seater bus planned for this week.
The height of Shinkula Pass, also known as Shingo La, is approximately 5,091 meters (16,703 feet) above sea level. This high-altitude mountain pass is located in the Indian Himalayas, connecting the Lahaul region in Himachal Pradesh with the Zanskar Valley in Ladakh.
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) recently completed the construction of a sturdy road suitable for large vehicles from Keylong to the Zanskar Valley via Shinkula Pass. This new infrastructure is expected to significantly benefit both military personnel stationed in border areas and the increasing number of tourists visiting Ladakh. Since Ladakh became a Union Territory in October 2019, it has lacked its own public transport service, relying instead on the Jammu and Kashmir State Transport Corporation, which ceased its operations five years ago.
The new bus service aims to facilitate the movement of soldiers and boost tourism in the region. During the summer, the Baralacha and Shinkula passes attract numerous tourists, and reliable public transport provided by HRTC is expected to enhance the travel experience for both locals and visitors. This service will also contribute to the local economy by promoting tourism.
Rohan Chand Thakur, Managing Director of HRTC, highlighted the strategic and tourism-related significance of this new service. Punchok Tashi, Deputy Minister of the Autonomous Hill Development Council in Kargil, emphasized the strong ties between Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, noting that many residents travel through Himachal to reach Jammu and Delhi. He expressed confidence in HRTC’s reliability and welcomed the new service, which covers the 160-kilometer distance from Keylong to Kargil.
The introduction of this bus service is expected to significantly improve connectivity for the residents of Lahaul-Spiti district and neighboring areas in Jammu and Kashmir, who often face isolation due to heavy snowfall for nearly half the year. The HRTC bus service represents a major step towards better infrastructure and accessibility, highlighting the region’s strategic importance and fostering development in these remote areas.
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