Pithoragarh: Bhanuraj Singh Pal of Askot has written a letter to Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari demanding a direct highway from Tanakpur to Dharchula via Askot. Through this letter, he has told how Dharchula is a strategically important place on the Indian border, whose borders connect Nepal and Tibet.
At the same time, due to the absence of a direct highway from Tanakpur to Dharchula, one has to travel via Champawat, Lohaghat and Pithoragarh, which takes 10-11 hours, whereas if Tanakpur is connected to Dharchula via Askot by a direct highway, then this journey can be completed in 3 to 4 hours. From a strategic point of view, the Indian Army will also be able to complete this journey in 3-4 hours to reach the border. How beneficial will it be for the army to reach in 3-4 hours instead of 11 hours in the national interest?
Before Dharchula in the state of Uttarakhand, Askot is also a major place whose branch of the Pal dynasty established its kingdom in the district Basti (Mahaso) of eastern Uttar Pradesh. This place is also deeply connected to this place. From the historical point of view, the Askot sanctuary, famous for the protection of musk deer, is also important from the tourism point of view. If a direct highway is constructed from Tanakpur to Dharchula, then from a strategic point of view, the Indian Army will have easy access to the border and time will be saved. On the other hand, while tourism will be promoted, the cultural relations between Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand will also be strengthened.
