The state Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal requested the Centre to enroute Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through Himachal Pradesh as he flagged off a Jatha of Kailash Mansarovar yatris in Sindhu Darshan Festival in Leh. Tabbing the Himachal Pradesh route as safe, convenient, short and easy in comparison to the present route, he said that even in the ancient times the Kailash Mansarovar yatris usually preferred Himachal Pradesh route.
He further threw light on chances of connecting of Leh through rail network by Jogindernagar-Manali -Keylong route, addressing it as a need for the strategic interest of the country from the defence point of view. Meanwhile he pleaded the opening the old silk route between India and Tibet for trade to boost up the traditional crafts, handloom, dry fruits and ancient herbs business across the borders, while stressing on the need to construct tunnels at various passes situated between 13000 feet to 16000 feet height from sea level on Manali-Leh National Highways to provide underground road network during winters when these passes are closed due to heavy snowfall which leads to closure of Manali Leh highways for 8 months in order to gain from winter tourism..
He further asked the Centre to take effective steps for tribal interaction.
