Approve Pathankot-Leh road project: MP Kishan Kapoor

Our Correspondent

Chamba, August 14

Kangra MP Kishan Kapoor has urged the Central Government to approve the construction of the strategically important Pathankot-Chamba-Tissa-Killar-Pangi-Leh highway under the Bharatmala Project. He said that the Himachal Government submitted a proposal to the Centre recently.

Kapoor said that when this is constructed, the distance between Pathankot and Leh would be 521 km while the distance from Pathankot via Manali was 802 km. Thus, the distance from Pathankot to Leh would reduce by 281 km.

In a letter to the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways yesterday, Kapoor said that the road was necessary in view of the aggressive behaviour of China on the country’s borders. “This road will connect the military cantonments of Pathankot with adjoining areas, including the Pathankot cantonment, Yol cantonment and military camps on the Pathankot-Jammu road, and military camps in the Poonch region with Leh and Ladakh, thereby facilitating the movement of soldiers,” he added.

“Moreover, there is immense potential for setting up hydroelectric projects and promotion of tourism and pilgrimage in the Pangi tribal area, which can be exploited properly if the means of transport are available,” Kapoor said.