JTN says proposal would strengthen border development, tourism, trade and strategic connectivity in Eastern Ladakh
LEH: Former Member of Parliament from Ladakh Jamyang Tsering Namgyal has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare Demchok as an official route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and notify Dumchele as an authorised India-China Border Trade Point, describing the proposal as an opportunity to revive Ladakh’s historic Himalayan connectivity and strengthen the economy of the frontier region.
In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister on August 2, Namgyal congratulated the Union Government for the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through the Lipulekh Pass, the revival of the Nathu La route for pilgrims and the reopening of Lipulekh, Shipki La and Nathu La for border trade. He said these initiatives had generated fresh hope among the people of Ladakh and prompted him to seek similar consideration for Eastern Ladakh.
According to the representation, the Demchok-Dumchele corridor historically served as a trans-Himalayan route connecting Ladakh with western Tibet, facilitating pilgrimage, trade and cultural exchanges for centuries. The letter states that traders and pilgrims once transported commodities including Pashmina wool, salt, tea, borax, livestock and textiles through the route, while the historic trade mart at Dumchele supported the economy of border communities.
Namgyal argued that reopening the corridor would restore one of India’s traditional spiritual routes to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar, while creating fresh opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship, logistics, tourism and allied services in Eastern Ladakh. He said the proposal would also complement the Government’s Vibrant Villages Programme, which aims to strengthen development in border settlements and reduce migration from remote areas.
The former MP further stated that regulated civilian activity, improved infrastructure and organised border trade would contribute to stronger frontier settlements and reinforce India’s strategic presence in border regions. He said the proposal aligns with the Centre’s broader policy of restoring historic Himalayan connectivity through carefully regulated border routes.
In his letter, Namgyal requested the Prime Minister to initiate the required diplomatic consultations and administrative processes for declaring Demchok as an official route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, subject to bilateral arrangements, and for notifying Dumchele as an authorised India-China Border Trade Point under the existing or future bilateral framework.
He expressed confidence that the proposed initiatives would promote sustainable economic development, generate employment, strengthen the objectives of the Vibrant Villages Programme and further consolidate India’s presence in Eastern Ladakh while fulfilling a long-standing aspiration of the people of the region.
