JTN demands strategic roads from Paddar, Udaipur, Spiti to Ladakh

MP Ladakh JTN during a meeting with Union Minister of Tourism Kishan Reddy in New Delhi on Wednesday.
MP Ladakh JTN during a meeting with Union Minister of Tourism Kishan Reddy in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Dec, 21: Member of Parliament from Ladakh Parliamentary Constituency, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal raised the demands in Parliament for construction of roads of Paddar-Padum, Udaipur-Padum, and Korzok-Kiato for strengthening strategical aspect of Indian border in Northern region.
Raising his demands under business rule 377 of the Lok Sabha Ladakh MP emphasized that since India has having war experiences of 1948, 1962, 1965, 1971, 1999 and the Galwan conflict of 2020. Unprecedented border tussle usher the nation to develop some of alternative routes to connect border with main stream land. Despite after the commendable works on Nimo-Padum- Darcha road including tunnel at Shinkun La and Zojila there is need to focus on better, shorter, and economically more feasible roads and tunnels on priority to keep our border well secured.
During the ongoing Parliament session, MP Jamyang raised demands for construction of three major roads to connect Ladakh with mainstream countryside for greater interest.
Construction of 45 km Paddar-Padum road Kishtwar-Atholi-Maichil- Soomchan-Zongkhul’ or 80 km road Kishtwar-Atholi-Maichil-Dangail-Potla-Bardan’ to connect Ladakh with Jammu. This will be the shortest route between Northern Command and Pathankot Airforce/Military Station to Ladakh as it will reduce the distance by about 150 km.
This route, he said being shortest was also followed by the legendary Dogra General Zorawar Singh during his conquests of Ladakh and Eastern Tibet in 1830s.
He demanded construction of Udaipur-Padum road from Mayard Valley of Lahaul via Khanjar- Zardong-Kesar-KangLa-Padum or Khanjar-Shangkha-Thangso-Kargyak near Shinkunla Zanskar.
He also demanded construction of 100 km road from Korzok-Kiato to connect Leh-Karzok-Kiato- Kaza-Kinour-Chandigarh will be an all-weather connectivity without any tunnel.
He further highlighted that these roads can help to connect Paddar and Chenab Valleys of J&K and Mayard Udaipur and Spiti valleys and help in creating economic potential along with other advantages along with securing the border.
Meanwhile Ladakh MP also called on Kishan Reddy Gangapuram, Minister for Tourism and Culture at New Delhi and discussed various matters pertaining to UT of Ladakh with him.
He also along with Namgyal Angchuk Gyapo, president Ladakh Winter Sports Club, Leh, Anurag Thakur Union Minster of Sports and Youth Affairs and invited him to be the chief guest during Indo-Canadian Ice Hockey Tournament to be held in Leh on January 14 and 15 next year.