Darcha


Darcha is a pair of villages on the Bhaga River in the Lahaul sub-division in the Lahaul and Spiti district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is the northernmost permanent settlement in Himachal Pradesh along the Manali-Leh Highway. With the opening of the Atal Tunnel, Darcha is likely to see a large influx of tourists as it is now connected to Manali throughout the year. The Nimmu–Padam–Darcha road which is being constructed, will improve connectivity of Kargil, Zanskar and Leh District of Ladakh to Darcha.

Demographics and amenities

Darcha consists of two adjacent villages, Darcha Sumdo and Darcha Dangma with a total area of. Information on Darcha from the Census of India 2011 is given in the table below.
MeasureDarcha SumdoDarcha DangmaDarcha
Area 10.640.751.3
Population172166338
Households383472
Scheduled Caste<5%Nil
Scheduled Tribes41-50%>75%

Schooling from primary up to senior secondary is available in the village. There is a Primary Health Centre at Darcha. Drinking water is available, and the village has power and telephone connections.

Transport

Darcha will be a station on the under-construction Bhanupli–Leh line. Darhca likes on NH-3.
Some buses between Manali and Leh stop for the night at Darcha where travelers sleep in tents. A new all weather steel bridge of 360 meters length has been built over the confluence of the Bhaga river and Jankar Nala on the Leh-Manali Highway. The village is the end-point of a popular trek beginning in Padum, Zanskar. Roadside stalls offer basic food.
All passing vehicles must stop at Darcha's police checkpoint for identification and passport checks.