Leh, Sept 26: A simmering discontent among villagers along the NH3 (Leh–Manali Highway) has spilled into the open, with residents issuing a direct appeal to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and concerned authorities to address what they describe as years of neglect of a vital stretch of road.
For nearly five years, the villagers allege, the section of highway passing through their settlement has remained in a raw, unpaved condition — marked by loose stones, potholes, and clouds of dust. During rains, the road reportedly turns into a muddy quagmire, while in summer it becomes a dust corridor. Locals say this condition has made daily life unsafe and exhausting for commuters, students, shopkeepers, and patients needing urgent medical care.
“We are not asking for luxury, just our basic right to a safe, tarred road. Enough promises — now we need real action on the ground,” read a collective appeal from villagers.
Accusations have also surfaced regarding alleged irregularities in road maintenance practices. One villager, Tsering Dadul, alleged that funds earmarked for local labour are being siphoned off under what he termed the “Thapa” system. According to him, workers are enrolled on paper but receive only partial payments, while the rest allegedly remains unaccounted for.
“BRO is busy selling cement, diesel and making money. Everyone in the office, from top to bottom, is involved. They reduce local labour, mark them as ‘Thapa,’ and pocket the money,” Dadul alleged.
The claims, however, are not universally accepted. HongKit Chan, a tourist from Singapore who recently travelled on the Leh–Manali route, expressed surprise at the villagers’ complaints. “Most of the highway was properly paved, except for sections damaged by landslides. We never came across such a long unpaved stretch. Frankly, I was impressed with the road infrastructure in Ladakh compared to many other parts of India,” he observed.
The contrasting narratives underscore the complex ground realities of Himalayan highways — where terrain, weather, and executional lapses often intersect. While BRO has yet to issue an official statement in response to the villagers’ appeal, the grievances highlight the pressing demand for accountability and sustained infrastructure development in one of India’s most strategically significant regions.
