| Nimmu–Padum–Darcha road | |
|---|---|
 Darcha-Padum road winding up to Shingo La, elev. 4,975m (16,322 ft) | |
| Major junctions | |
| North end | Nimmu,Ladakh |
| South end | Darcha,Himachal Pradesh |
| Location | |
| Country | India |
| States | Ladakh,Himachal Pradesh |
| Primary destinations | |
| Highway system | |
Nimmu–Padum–Darcha road (NPD road) orZanskar Highway[1] is a modern 2-lane 298 km long paved road between the Indian union territory ofLadakh and the state ofHimachal Pradesh, passing through the region ofZanskar, which will become all-weather road once the under-constructionShunku La Tunnel is completed in 2028-29.[2] It connectsNimmu in theIndus Valley toPadum, the capital of Zanskar, and toDarcha village inLahul and Spiti.[3] It provides an alternative to theLeh–Manali Highway in linking Ladakh with the rest of India.[4] It was built by theBorder Roads Organisation (BRO) of the Indian Army. The construction of road was completed in March 2024.[5][6] The already completedAtal tunnel, and the under-construction unidirectional-twin-tube 4-laneShingo La Tunnel, which is expected to be completed by 2027 will provide all weather connectivity and reduce the distance from Manali to Kargil by 522 km.[7][8][9]
It is estimated that travel on this road will only take 10–12 hours to reach Leh from Manali, as opposed to the Leh-Manali highway taking almost14–16 hours under good weather conditions. The road is strategic for theIndian Army as it is set back from the international border and can facilitate safe troop movements.[4] The Nimmu-Padam Darcha road is just 298 km from Darcha in Himachal Pradesh.[10]
The regions of Lahul (Lha yul) and Spiti (sPi ti) were earlier parts of Ladakh.[11] They were attached toZanskar.[12]
By 1847, when theBritish Raj arrived, they were separated from Ladakh and made a part ofBritish Punjab. Thus the connections between Zanskar and Lahul and Spiti were partly severed.[13][a] Nevertheless, Lahaulis fought for the defence of Ladakh and Zanskar during theIndo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948.Major Prithi Chand trekked over theZoji La pass in winter to arrive in Leh before theraiders from Gilgit could.[14]
In 1979, when Ladakh was divided into two districts by the state ofJammu and Kashmir, the predominantly Buddhist region of Zanskar was attached to the Muslim-majorityKargil district.[15] Work on the stretch of the road betweenNimmu andPadum, called theChadar Road, was begun by the Jammu and Kashmir Public Works Department in the 1970s.[16]But it was reportedly cancelled by a member of theLegislative Assembly from Srinagar to prevent linking of Zanskar with Leh. Due to linguistic and religious similarities between Zanskar and Leh, the politicians of Kargil had apprehensions that it might eventually come under Leh's jurisdiction. So, instead of the Chadar Road, a road between Kargil and Padum was constructed.[17]
Following theKargil War in 1999, the unfinished Chadar Road project was handed over to theBorder Roads Organisation (BRO).[16][18] Trekkers on theChadar trek (the frozenZanskar River during winters) perceived the planned road as spoiling the wild and pristine environment. The central government questioned the state of Jammu and Kashmir in 2007 about the need for the road. The councillor of theLingshed constituency replied that it was a "right" and a necessity for the development of the remote and backward villages of the region.[17]
In May 2023, the Border Roads Organisation reported that only a 15-kilometre stretch of the road remained incomplete.[4]
On 20 June 2024, theHimachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) conducted a trial run of a bus service fromKeylong in Lahaul to Padum. This is the first time that a public bus has traversed this route. The 37-seat bus took 9 hours for the journey. Commercial service is expected to start after further formalities.[19]
The northern terminus is located at Nimmu in Ladakh, about 35 km (22 mi) east of Leh. The distance from Nimmu via Padum to the southern terminus at Darcha in Himachal Pradesh is 297 km (185 mi). The road consists of three major sections: Nimmu – Padum, Padum – Shingo La, Shingo La – Darcha.[20]
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The total distance from Nimmu to Padum is 156 km (97 mi) on the proposed alignment. Only 15 km remained to be commissioned as of May 2023. This section covers the following towns/villages:[20]
From Padum, the road runs south along theTsarap Lingti Chu river up toPurne, a distance of 53 km (33 mi).[21] At Purne, the road crosses the river and continues along the Kargiakh Chu, a left bank tributary of the Tsarap up to Lakhang Sumdo. This distance of 39 km (24 mi) has a gentle gradient.[22] Thereafter, the road climbs steeply from 4,460 m (14,630 ft) up to theShingo La pass at 5,091 m (16,703 ft), covering a distance of 10.5 km (6.5 mi).[23] The total distance covered in this segment is 102.5 km (63.7 mi).
The newly-surfaced road (as of Oct '21) continues from the Shingo La pass down to the Darcha terminus. The road descends on the right bank of the Jankar Nala through Ramjak to Zanskar Sumdo, which has a helipad. The Jankar Nala enters a short gorge about 100 ft (30 m) deep. On the sides of the gorge is a Buddhist shrine to the deityPalden Lhamo. The road crosses the gorge and runs along the left bank via Chikka and Rarik to meet theLeh-Manali Highway about 2 km before Darcha. This segment covers a distance of approximately 38 km (24 mi).[24]
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There are several ancientBuddhist monasteries (gompa), such as thePhuktal Monastery.
This road is also the route of famousChadar trek ('ice sheet'), the 62 km long, 8 day (including acclimatization at Leh) snowy trek which starts and ends at the motorableShingra Koma, the trek goes toTsomo Paldar &Tibb cave toNerak, and then traverse back to Tsomo Paldar.[26]
{{cite web}}:|last= has generic name (help)In the past,La dwags [Ladakh] sometimes includedsBal ti yul (Baltistan);Zangs dkar [Zanskar]; Lahaul; Spiti; the Aksai Chin (Hin.Aksä'i cina; Ch.Akesai Qin); andmNga' ris [Ngari].
The Ladakhi chronicles state that the eldest son [of King Nyimagon],Pal-gyi-gön [Lhachen Palgyigon], received Ladakh and the Rudok area; the second son,Tra-shi-gön [Trashigon], Guge and Purang; while the third son,De-tsuk-gön [Detsukgon], was given Zanskar, Spiti and Lahul.
Ladak is divided politically between Maharaja Gulab Sing and the East-India Company. To the former belong all the northern districts, to the latter only the two southern districts of Lahul and Spiti.