The route connecting Chamba to the Pangi valley reopened after weeks of intensive snow-clearance operations carried out by the Pangi and Churah divisions of the PWD, which worked through glaciers and massive snow walls under extremely challenging conditions.
During the winter closure of Sach Pass, the Pangi valley residents are forced to undertake a gruelling 600-km journey via Jammu and Kashmir to reach Chamba. With the reopening of the pass, the travel distance has now reduced to around 170 km, significantly easing connectivity and travel time.
The reopening of the road is also expected to boost local tourism, as Sach Pass is known for its scenic beauty and difficult terrain, attracting adventure enthusiasts from across the country.
Superintending Engineer, PWD, Dalhousie Circle, Jeet Singh Thakur said that the road had been reopened for light motor vehicles after continuous efforts by the field staff and machine operators despite erratic weather, repeated snowfall and frequent avalanches along the route.
“The route has been opened almost a month in advance. Normally, the route opens by mid-June and at the earliest by the end of May,” he said. Sach Pass is officially closed for vehicular movement on October 15 every year due to heavy snowfall.
Executive Engineer, PWD, Pangi Division, Ravi Kumar Sharma said that the restoration work this year was particularly challenging because of unseasonal snowfall and recurring avalanches at several vulnerable points.
“Despite difficult terrain and weather conditions, our teams worked tirelessly to restore connectivity to the Pangi valley before the deadline,” he added.
Sharma said that the reopening of the route would provide major relief to residents of the remote valley, who depend heavily on the road for transportation, essential supplies and connectivity with the rest of the district.
Nestled between the Pir Panjal and Zanskar ranges of the Himalayas, the Pangi valley is known for its rugged mountains, breathtaking landscapes and extreme climatic conditions. It is cut off due to heavy snowfall for several months every year and is among the most inaccessible tribal regions of Himachal Pradesh.
The authorities concerned have advised commuters to travel with caution, as snow walls still exist along several stretches and the possibility of shooting stones and slippery road conditions due to melting snow cannot be ruled out.
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