Heavy snowfall disrupts Himachal’s connectivity: 4 NHs among 535 roads closed
Shimla, Jan 23,
Heavy snowfall across Himachal Pradesh has led to the closure of 535 roads, including four National Highways, severely disrupting connectivity in several districts. The Public Works Department (PWD) has intensified snow clearance operations, deploying 264 machines across affected areas, with priority given to National Highways, district headquarters and key urban routes .
According to an official brief, an emergency review meeting was chaired by the Engineer-in-Chief, HPPWD, through video conference with all Chief Engineers, Superintending Engineers and Executive Engineers. Clear directions were issued to ensure prompt, time-bound road restoration, deploy all available snow-clearing machinery in heavy snowfall zones, and recall officers on leave in snow-affected areas to immediately resume duty .
Road closure status
Out of the 535 closed roads, 511 are village roads, 20 are Major District Roads (MDRs) and four are National Highways. The department expects 199 roads to be reopened by January 23, another 104 by January 24, while 232 roads may take longer, depending on weather conditions and snow accumulation .
The estimated loss due to snowfall stands at ₹6.03 crore, as per preliminary assessment .
Machinery and manpower deployed
The PWD has pressed into service 78 departmental JCBs, 128 hired JCBs, 18 snow robots, 10 dozers and 30 tippers, taking the total machinery count to 264 .
In Shimla district, special focus has been placed on National Highway stretches such as Tutikandi–Mehli, Mehli–Fagu, Fagu–Narkanda and Theog–Kotkhai–Hatkoti, where 15 JCBs, three dozers and two snow robots are operating. Within Shimla city, 10 JCBs and four robots have been deployed to clear key routes including Lakkar Bazar Circular Road, Sanjauli bypass, Old Bus Stand–Sanjauli road and Cart Road sections .
National Highways and Key Routes
While NH-05 remains open up to Kalka–ISBT Shimla, several crucial highways, including Shimla–Kufri–Narkanda, Sainj–Jalori–Aut, Powari–Kalpa and Theog–Kotkhai–Hatkoti–Kaza, remain closed and are likely to reopen by January 24, subject to weather improvement .
Worst-Hit Regions
Districts such as Shimla, Kullu, Kinnaur, Chamba, Mandi, Sirmaur and Lahaul-Spiti continue to face major disruptions. All roads in Pangi subdivision of Chamba and large parts of Lahaul-Spiti are expected to remain closed beyond January 25, officials said .
PWD authorities have appealed to commuters to avoid non-essential travel, follow advisories, and cooperate with field staff working under harsh weather conditions as restoration efforts continue across the state .
About the Author
The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.