Shimla, March 13,
BJP MP Dr. Sikandar Kumar raised the demand for a tunnel to connect the remote Pangi Valley in Chamba district with the district headquarters during Zero Hour in the second phase of the Rajya Sabha session. He urged the Central government to take concrete steps to address the difficulties faced by the residents of this isolated region.
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Dr. Kumar highlighted that Pangi Valley is extremely difficult to access due to its challenging geography. At present, residents must travel via the high-altitude Sach Pass, situated at 14,500 feet, which remains open for only 4-5 months a year due to heavy snowfall. For the rest of the year, people are forced to take a longer and more expensive route, covering 500-700 km via Jammu, Lahaul-Spiti, Atal Tunnel, Manali, and Kullu to reach Chamba.
He pointed out that every winter, the closure of Sach Pass severely disrupts connectivity, making it difficult for locals to access essential services. Additionally, the government spends crores of rupees annually to clear the pass of snow and reopen the route.
To resolve this persistent problem, Dr. Kumar proposed constructing a tunnel through Chahni Jot, which would provide year-round connectivity between Pangi Valley and Chamba. He argued that the tunnel would not only ease travel for locals but also reduce the government’s recurring expenses on road clearance.
The demand for a tunnel has been a long-standing issue for the people of Pangi Valley, who face extreme hardships due to poor connectivity. If approved, this project could significantly improve the region’s accessibility, boost economic development, and enhance the overall quality of life for residents.
