The J&K government has proposed reopening of the historic Ladakh-Tibet road to boost trade, tourism and pilgrimage in the cold desert.
SRINAGAR: Cashing in on the improved Sino-India relations, the J&K government has proposed reopening of the historic Ladakh-Tibet road to boost trade, tourism and pilgrimage in the cold desert.
“Former PM AB Vajpayee took up the issue at the highest level during his visit to China in June 2003. The Chinese side had conveyed that they would consider the request according to the conditions in Tibet and the matter was being followed by the Ministry of External Affairs,” Mohommad Dilwar Mir, J&K tourism minister told the assembly recently.
Mir said the government has informed the Centre about the resolution moved by P. Namgyal in the Upper House in August 2004 seeking the reopening of the international border at Demchok, 350 km from Leh. “The Centre was told to take up the matter with China during the bilateral discussion in order to promote tourism, trade and pilgrimage,” he said.
People in Ladakh have been demanding the border reopening ever since it was closed after the Indo-Sino war. There is still a road link between Leh to Damchok, the last post at the border and locals say if it is reopened it will prove a big money spinner to the economy of the region.
“Mount Kalash in Tibet is one of the holy places for Buddhists and Hindus. But we are unable to go there because of the road closure. The only route to visit the place is through Uttaranchal which is very risky,” said Chering Dorjay, chief executive officer of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh.
Dorjay said the route to Mount Kalash is relatively easy from Demchok. “There is a road link from Ladakh upto Mount Kalash which is hassle free. If the border is opened people can visit the shrine,” he said.
Locals are also hoping the reopened road will open the floodgates for tourism in the area.
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