Deputy Commissioner-cum-Chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Kiran Bhadana, said the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) had successfully completed snow clearance and restoration work on the route under the supervision of 126 RCC (GREF).
According to BRO, the road is presently double-lane and suitable for the movement of both heavy motor vehicles (HMVs) and light motor vehicles (LMVs).
The administration stated that exercising powers under Sections 30 and 34 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the Darcha–Shinkula route has now officially been opened from both sides for vehicular traffic. However, traffic regulation and monitoring will be managed by the Police Department depending upon prevailing weather and road conditions.
The district administration has also appealed to motorists, transport operators, tourists and local residents to strictly follow daily advisories issued by the DDMA, Lahaul and Spiti, to ensure safe travel in the mountainous terrain.
The reopening of the road is expected to significantly benefit the tourism sector in both the Lahaul Valley of Himachal Pradesh and the Zanskar Valley of Union Territory Ladakh. Over the past few years, the Shinkula Pass has emerged as a major tourist attraction following the construction of the Darcha–Shinkula–Padum road, which provides direct connectivity between Lahaul and Zanskar.
Adventure enthusiasts, bikers and nature lovers have increasingly started exploring the route for its breathtaking landscapes, rugged mountain terrain and panoramic Himalayan views. Tourism stakeholders believe that the reopening of the road for all categories of vehicles will lead to a rise in tourist footfall during the summer season and provide a boost to local businesses, including hotels, homestays, transport services and roadside eateries.
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