Union Home Minister Amit Shah has unveiled plans for the Paddar-Zanskar road, aiming to bolster strategic border infrastructure and enhance cultural, tourism, and economic connections between Zanskar, Paddar, and Pangi. Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, former Member of Parliament from Ladakh, expressed heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the residents of Zanskar and the Paddar-Pangi Valley for Shah's announcement regarding this long-awaited road project. “The Paddar-Zanskar road is more than just an infrastructure project; it is a lifeline that will transform connectivity between Ladakh and the Paddar region, extending to Pangi Valley in Himachal Pradesh. Beyond improving local connectivity, this road will significantly bolster national security along India’s borders with China and Pakistan, areas that have experienced numerous conflicts, including the wars of 1948, 1962, 1965, 1971, and 1999, as well as the Galwan skirmish in 2020. It will also revitalize cultural and historical ties among these regions, unlocking significant tourism potential and economic growth for Ladakh, Paddar, and Pangi,” stated Namgyal. Namgyal had previously advocated for this road during a Parliament session on December 21, 2022, proposing two potential routes for its construction: a 45 km route via Kishtwar-Atholi-Machail-Soomchan-Zongkhul and an 80 km route via Kishtwar-Atholi-Machail-Dangail-Pot La-Bardan/Haftal, directly connecting Ladakh with Jammu. “Once completed, the road will be the shortest link between the Northern Command and Pathankot Airforce and Military Station, reducing the current distance by approximately 150 km. This route holds historical significance, having been used by the renowned Dogra General Zorawar Singh during his campaigns in Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Tibet in the 1830s. Additionally, the road will provide a safer, more secure route through Paddar Sub-Division, circumventing areas prone to anti-national activities,” the statement continued. As part of this development initiative, Namgyal noted that a 31 km road from Block Headquarters Paddar to Lossani Machail Paddar has already been approved under PMGSY Phase 1 and Phase 2, with a budget allocation of Rs 46.42 crore. The planned construction of an 8 km tunnel from Lossani to Dangail via Dharlong Nallah and Chamo Chohar will further improve connectivity, directly linking Paddar to Zanskar in Ladakh. “This project is crucial for national security and the socio-economic upliftment of the region. Enhanced connectivity will stimulate tourism, invigorate local economies, and foster a deeper sense of unity among the people of Paddar, Pangi, and Ladakh. We express our sincere gratitude to Home Minister Amit Shah and the Modi Government for their unwavering commitment to the progress and security of our region,” Namgyal concluded.