Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday inaugurated border tourism activities at Shipki La Pass in Kinnaur district, marking a major step towards enhancing connectivity, tourism, trade, and pilgrimage prospects along the India-China border.
The move comes after the Ministry of Defence gave clearance for border tourism at strategic locations including Shipki La, Lepcha, Giu, and Rani Kanda. The state government hopes this initiative will strengthen local economies and generate livelihood opportunities in remote regions.
During the event, CM Sukhu announced that he would personally appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reopen the Shipki La route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, citing it as the shortest and most feasible path for Indian pilgrims. He also pressed for the revival of border trade with China via Shipki La, which has remained suspended since 2020.
-“Border roads are not just strategic assets—they are lifelines for local communities and gateways to tourism,” Sukhu said during his address.
Infrastructure Boost
The Chief Minister also unveiled major infrastructure plans to support border tourism:
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Proposal for a new airport in the border region to ease tourist access.
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Approval of the Wangtu–Atargu–Mud–Bhawa road, which will connect Kinnaur to Lahaul, reducing the Shimla–Kaza distance by 100 km.
Security and Youth Employment
To enhance security and local engagement, the state has requested the Centre to form a scout battalion with reserved seats for youth from border areas.
Talks have also been initiated with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) to open helipads and health facilities in border zones for tourists and locals alike.
Permit Reforms and Land Protection
In a bid to make travel smoother, the Himachal government will urge the Centre to remove the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system, which currently restricts access to border regions.
A new “Subscribe to Land Records” service was also hinted at for local residents and NRIs, enabling alerts for any changes to their land ownership records.
Cultural Highlight
The inauguration ceremony saw vibrant traditional performances by local women’s groups. Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi praised CM Sukhu’s “transformative leadership” and vision for inclusive development of border areas.
With the launch of border tourism at Shipki La, the state has set in motion a multi-pronged development strategy—aiming to balance national security, cultural heritage, and economic upliftment for Himachal’s remote communities.
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