Keylong, May 25
The district administration of Lahaul-Spiti has officially opened the NH-505 SKG road stretch between Lossar and Gramphu for the movement of all types of Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs). The decision was taken after the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) informed the administration that the road is now fit for vehicular movement.
According to an office order issued by Deputy Commissioner-cum-Chairman of District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Kiran Bhadana, the BRO’s 108 RCC has restored the road stretch between Lossar and Gramphu under GREF. The Chandratal route under the Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department (HPPWD) has also been opened for LMV traffic till further orders.
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The administration stated that the road had earlier been facilitating only 4×4 LMVs due to snow accumulation and difficult road conditions in the higher reaches. However, following continuous snow clearance operations and improvement in weather, the route has now been declared suitable for all LMVs.
The order further stated that road clearance work for Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs) is still underway and movement of such vehicles will be allowed only after further assessment by the authorities.
The police department has been directed to regulate traffic movement depending on weather and road advisories issued from time to time. The administration has also advised commuters, tourists and stakeholders to follow daily advisories issued by the District Disaster Management Authority before undertaking journeys on the route.
The reopening of the strategically important road stretch is expected to bring major relief to residents of remote areas as well as tourists travelling towards the tribal regions during the summer season. The route is an important link for transportation of essential commodities and movement of people in the high-altitude region.
Officials said that vehicular movement will continue to depend on weather conditions, as sudden snowfall or landslides in higher reaches may still affect traffic on the route.
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