Kharu[2] (Wylie: mkhar bu, THL: khar bu) also spelt Karu, is a town, subdivision, tehsil, block, tourist station and military base on the bank of Indus River in the Leh district of Union territory of Ladakh in India. It is located 34 km southeast of Leh on Leh-Manali Highway and under-construction Bhanupli–Leh line.[2][3][4] [5][6] Karu is one of the important railway station and military's railway logistics hub on the under construction Bhanupli–Leh line of Indian Railway.[7] Karu is an important transit point where several strategic and important road arterial and feeder routes of India-China Border Roads meet, such as Leh-Manali Highway, Leh-Nyoma road, Hamis-Karo-Pangong Tso road, etc.

Kharu
Karu
Town
Military Station at Karu
Military Station at Karu
Kharu is located in Ladakh
Kharu
Kharu
Location in Ladakh, India
Kharu is located in India
Kharu
Kharu
Kharu (India)
Coordinates: 33°56′31″N 77°45′51″E / 33.9419°N 77.7643°E / 33.9419; 77.7643
CountryIndia
Union TerritoryLadakh
DistrictLeh
TehsilKharu[1]
Languages
 • OfficialLadakhi, English
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
Census code892

Transport & tourism facilities

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Karu town, located at 3500 m above sea level, with ATM, internet access (BSNL, guesthouses, petrol station and tourist facilities, etc. is one of the base for exploring the Hemis Monastery, high altitude Hemis National Park, Chang La motorable pass, Ke La pass, etc. It is a popular stop and melting pot for the tourists, bikers, native tribes, military personnels, etc. Tourists usually flock here during warmer months from June to October.[8]

Administration

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Important villages in Karu block are, Karu, Hemis, Upshi, Meroo, Changa, etc.[2]

Culture

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Native tribe practice the Tibetan Buddhism.[8]

Education

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The well-known "Karu Army Goodwill Public School" was established in 1998 for the locals by the Tangtse Brigade of XIV Corps of the Indian Army.[8]

Karu Military Station

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Karu is also home to a logistics base of Indian Military. To cater for the military logistics, the Bilaspur–Leh rail line passing through will have a railway station for passengers at Karu as well as a loop line for the exclusive use of military logistics, loading and unloading. Other 4 such dedicated loop lines for military logistics on this rail line will be at Sissu, Debring, Leh and Sesharthang.[7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Villages | District Leh, Union Territory of Ladakh | India".
  2. ^ a b c Subdivisions and blocks of Leh, Leh dustrict website.
  3. ^ Rashid, Hakeem Irfan. "Sombre Hemis fest in Ladakh amid covid, Chinese incursion". The Economic Times. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  4. ^ Rashid, Hakeem Irfan. "Early signs of incursion by Chinese in August 2019: A local from Durbok". The Economic Times. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  5. ^ "China deploys troops all along 4,000-km LAC". Rediff. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  6. ^ "Chinese Army build-up from Ladakh to Arunachal, Indian Army increases troop deployment all along LAC". ANI News. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  7. ^ a b "डीपीआर तैयार: सेना के लिए चीन सीमा तक अलग से बिछेगा 13 किलोमीटर रेल ट्रैक". Amar Ujala. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  8. ^ a b c Karu top attractions on manali leh highway-leh ladakh road bike trip.