Ladakh connected via Shinkula-Padum road too

MANALI: After Manali-Leh and Srinagar-Leh highways, Darcha-Shinkula-Padum road has also been opened to connect Himachal Pradesh to Zanskar valley of Ladakh and further to Kargil and Leh. Widening and blacktopping works on this road are continuing on a war footing.
In reply to China strengthening its border infrastructure and Pakistan maintaining unrest along the border, India is also working to spread the web of roads.Darcha-Shinkula-Padum road, which can be plied currently by only some selected vehicles, is being developed as an alternative to strategically important Manali-Leh highway. However, this road can be used by armed forces in an emergency situation.
This road had opened to vehicular movement last year in September, but post October, heavy snowfall had again blocked it. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has reopened the road via Shinkula located at an altitude of 16,600 feet.
This road starts from Darcha, 147km from Manali on Manali-Leh highway, and is planned to connect with Leh-Srinagar highway at Nimo, 35km from Leh. Most of the portion between Padum (Zanskar) and Nimo has been built and work is on to execute the remaining works. The entire highway is being double-laned.
At present, Manali to Leh distance is 474km and Manali to Kargil 690km, Manali to Padum via Shinkula is about 275km and Manali to Kargil via Shinkula and Pensila pass is about 515km.