Darcha

Darcha (elevation 3,360 m or 11,020 ft)^[1] is a pair of villages (Darcha Sumdo and Darach Dangma) 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.^[2] 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.^{[original research?]} The Nimmu–Padam–Darcha road which is being constructed, will improve connectivity of Kargil, Zanskar and Leh District of Ladakh to Darcha.^{[citation needed]}

Darcha
Village
Darcha Sumdo and Darach Dangma
Darcha Location in Himachal Pradesh, India
Coordinates: 32.674°N 77.216°E / 32.674; 77.216
Country	India
State	Himachal Pradesh
District	Lahaul and Spiti
Area
• Total	0.51 km2 (0.20 sq mi)
Elevation	3,360 m (11,020 ft)
Population  (2011)
• Total	358
• Density	700/km2 (1,800/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Hindi
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	175132
Vehicle registration	HP-42

Darcha Dangma village, Oct 2020

Demographics and amenities

Darcha consists of two adjacent villages, Darcha Sumdo and Darcha Dangma with a total area of 51.3 ha (127 acres). Information on Darcha from the Census of India 2011 is given in the table below.^[3]

Census 2011 data on Darcha Sumdo and Darcha Dangma

Measure	Darcha Sumdo	Darcha Dangma	Darcha (total)
Area (ha)	10.6	40.7	51.3
Population	172	166	338
Households	38	34	72
Scheduled Caste	<5%	Nil
Scheduled Tribes	41-50%	>75%

Schooling from primary up to senior secondary (Class 1 to 12) 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.^[3]

Transport

Old bridge at Darcha

New bridge at Darcha.

Darcha will a station on the under-costruction Bhanupli–Leh line.^[4] Darhca likes on NH-3.

Some buses between Manali and Leh stop for the night at Darcha where travelers sleep in tents.^{[citation needed]} 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.^[5] The village is the end-point of a popular trek beginning in Padum, Zanskar. Roadside stalls offer basic food.^[2]

All passing vehicles must stop at Darcha's police checkpoint for identification and passport checks.^[2][6]

Gallery

• 
  Darcha village, Oct 2020
• 
  R. Bhaga, Darcha to Gemur, Oct '20
• 
  R. Bhaga from Darcha past Jispa to Gemur, Jun '24
• 
  Fields on the Bhaga river bed, Oct '20