Hanle, Umling La & Chushul now off limits for civilians?

Yogesh Sarkar

Administrator
There are rumors that civilian access to the Agham – Shyok Route, Chushul, Hanle and Umling La has been stopped and the DC Office has stopped issuing permit for Chushul and Hanle (permit was never issued for Agham-Shyok route or Umling La.)

Firstly, the rumor is partially true. Leh Administration is expected to take a call on whether or not to stop issuing permit for Hanle in the coming days.

This is mainly due to the fact that those having permit for Hanle, have been going to Photi La and Umling La (these weren't open for civilians.) This has irked both the army and the administration and as a result, the administration is contemplating scrapping the permit for Hanle. Since the area around Hanle is quite close to the LAC (Line of Actual Control) and thus quite sensitive.

The armed forces are also irked by the fact that videos have been posted online showing the entire route, along with GPS maps and people are attempting Umling La without any permission (few bikers and their backup vehicle were recently caught and detained by the armed forces en route to Umling La.)

This along with the fact that Army is expecting trouble from the Chinese this summer (read From Ladakh to Arunachal, India braces for tense summer) has made cutting off civilian access to sensitive areas a very real possibility this year.

I sincerely hope, Leh Administration doesn’t make travelers, as well as business owners in Hanle and Chushul, pay for the mistake of a few.

This thread will be updated, once the administration issues the formal order.

Update 1: DC Office is planning to start issuing permit for Agham – Shyok route as well as for the Spangmik – Chushul, and Tangste – Chushul routes. The bad news is, unless you have permission for these routes, you won’t be allowed on them.

Permit issuance for Hanle is temporarily suspended, decision regarding it will be taken soon.

Update 3: Hanle Permit are being issued as usual by the permit office, without the need for anything, hopefully, the troubles are over.
 
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nadz11.ns

Super User
If the reason given is true, why would they close the Agham-Shyok route? That route has nothing to do with Hanle or UmlingLa.
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Also, videos/maps/locations were all celebrated when few people did it in the beginning and now the same thing when done by others is criticised and tagged as a national threat. People tagging them as criminals over social media.. :confused: such hypocrisy.
 

Yogesh Sarkar

Administrator
That route is also sensitive, and technically not open for tourists, though not as sensitive as Chushul route or Hanle.

Of course, right now everything is on the table and being considered. The unions have asked the administration to either allow or completely stop the movements and leave no confusion behind.

Sadly though, PA of the DC has passed away, hence the order hasn’t yet been issued. It would be soon.
 

nadz11.ns

Super User
That route is also sensitive, and technically not open for tourists, though not as sensitive as Chushul route or Hanle.

Of course, right now everything is on the table and being considered. The unions have asked the administration to either allow or completely stop the movements and leave no confusion behind.

Sadly though, PA of the DC has passed away, hence the order hasn’t yet been issued. It would be soon.
Good thing, either all or stop completely. Else some people with connections get to visit and rest all are left disappointed :mad:

May he rest in peace.
 

Yogesh Sarkar

Administrator
Those with connections will be able to visit, as long as they know someone in MHA or Army (both of them issue their own permit). This is for the clarity of the general populace, applying for permit at the DC Office.
 

Yogesh Sarkar

Administrator
Does that mean that Pangong to Tso Moriri is now not doable in one day if they blocked Chushul?
It is doable but will take longer. Since you will have to come back to Karu and then take the Upshi – Chumathang route to Tso Moriri.

My friend Otsal in Leh didn’t know about the Chushul and Agham-Shyok route issue. Hopefully, they will be spared this time around. However, chances are high that Hanle would be off limit for civilians for at least some time.
 

Yogesh Sarkar

Administrator
Time for some good news. As per the latest update, DC Office is planning to start issuing permit for Agham – Shyok route as well as for the Spangmik – Chushul, and Tangste – Chushul routes. The bad news is, unless you have permission for these routes, you won’t be allowed on them.

Permit issuance for Hanle is temporarily suspended, decision regarding it will be taken either tomorrow or day after tomorrow.
 
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