74-yr-old does a Manjhi, carves 56-km road to connect his village

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, September 25

Where there is a will, there’ a way proved 74-year-old Chhultim Chhanjor, a resident of Kargyag village in the Zanskar valley of Jammu and Kashmir. Fed up with false assurances, Chhultim decided to carve a road to connect his village with some of prominent places. He constructed a 56-km road from Darcha in Lahaul-Spiti via the 16615.5 feet high Shinkula Pass to the Zanskar Valley connecting his village.

When the Border Roads Organisation started the widening work between Darcha and the Shinkula Pass, the man shifted his work towards the Zanskar valley.

Chhultim started the digging work a few kilometres away from Darcha towards the Shinkula Pass- Zanskar valley in 2014.

He said: “The going was tough, but I was determined to achieve my goal. Today, my mission is nearing completion. I succeeded in pressing a JCB machine into service in the area.”

“The road is still not ready for the movement of vehicles, but I will throw it open before October 15 this year. It will be a great achievement for me,” he added.

Chhultim has spent Rs 57 lakh on the road widening project from his own pocket. He sold his ancestral property and even collected funds from people who appreciated his grit.

He said he collected Rs 11 lakh as funds. Of which Rs 5 lakh was received from the councillor of Langnag in the Zanskar valley, Tenzin Sonam, Rs 2.5 lakh from Punchog Tashi, a resident of Pubum, and a few other people of the area, who were in favour of the road.

The Border Roads Organisation also recognised his work. Last year, BRO Commander KP Rajendra reached the Shinkula Pass along with his team. He opened the 39.6-km road between Darcha and the Shinkula Pass.

KP Rajendra said during his visit to the Shinkula Pass, he noticed Chhultim’s work. He said the BRO was focusing on maintaining the road between Darcha and the Shinkula Pass.

Sources said the need for an alternative route to Kargil and Ladakh was felt following the Kargil conflict. India wanted to have an alternative route and a safe passage for the border areas. With the opening of the Darcha-Shinkula road, the distance between Darcha and Kargil will be reduced significantly. However, the road from the Kargil side is yet to be completed.

The 292-km Darcha-Shinkula-Padam-Nimu road was planned in 2001. The 39.6-km Darcha-Shinkula road was entrusted to Project Deepak, 38 BRTF, in 2007.

The Ministry of Defence has proposed a road connecting Darcha in Lahaul with Kargil.