There is an ancient Gartang Gali wooden bridge in Nelong valley of Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district. The bridge has now been opened after 59 years for tourists. The 150-metre long stairs of Gartang Gali wooden bridge situated at an altitude of 11,000 feet were reconstructed for ₹64 lakh in July. Uttarkashi’s Gartang gali was built by Pathans from Peshawar 150 years ago and was closed for tourists after the 1962 Indo-China war.
The Centre had banned the movement of tourists in the inner line area of Uttarkashi. In 2015, the Centre reopened Nelong valley for tourists.
It was built for trade with Tibet before Independence and was used for transporting wool, leather garments and salt to Badahat.
Right now only ten people are allowed to pass through the bridge in compliance with Covid guidelines.
Uttarakhand tourism minister Satpal Maharaj said “The opening of Gartang Gali trek has added a new dimension to the adventure tourism activities in the state. The bridge has historical and strategic importance and demonstrates the cordial trade relations of the country with its neighbours since ancient times”.
Shailendra Matuda, president of the local hotel association, said this will promote tourism activities in the area. “We had been demanding the opening of this bridge since 2017. Now, we are hoping people from across India will come to see it,” he said.
