Construction plans are again being modified for the link road between Nyemo and Darcha, via Padum. The object of the road, when combined with the tunnel under the Rhotang La, is to circumvent the Lachulung La and Taklang La (both of which close the existing road in winter as they disappear beneath winter snow) and provide year-round connectivity between Himachal Pradesh and the Leh-Kargil National Highway. The route that the road will take from Darcha to Padum has however been undecided for some time. The Shinku La is avalanche prone and difficult to keep snow free in winter, and the option to follow the course of the Tsarap through Shun is equally problematic as it involves keeping the Baralacha La open. However, Border Roads Organisation (BRO) clearly had a third option up their GREF sleeve: a tunnel under the Shinku La. Check out the full article here.

So, one way or another, it looks as though the writing is on the wall for the Darcha-Padum trek, although if the current rates of road construction are anything to go by it is unlikely - unless new technology is employed - to be in operation within ten years.