BRO begins construction work on Lipulekh Pass road

BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, September 7

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has started work at the most tough and rocky portion of the 75-km motor road from Ghatiabagar to Lipulekh Pass, the last Indian post at the border with China, reviving hopes of its early completion.

Sources said the BRO had completed the work between Chiyalekh and Bundi, enriching its experience of road construction in the most rocky and challenging sites of the border region.

The construction of the road started in 2002 and was scheduled to be completed by 2007 but due to tough and rocky portions on the site, the work got delayed.

According to the BRO, the work will be completed by 2020. “We have already completed cutting of the 20-km portion between Gunji and Nabhidhang. The cutting work between Chiyalekh and Bundi has already begun and the work will be completed by 2020,” said Major Manish Narayan, a BRO officer.

He said besides the main road to the last Indian security post at Lipulekh Pass, another road from Gunji to Kuti towards the Chhota Kailash route was under construction. “We have to construct two major bridges on the road at Nabhi and Nampha and these will be completed by September end,” he added.

Villagers say the BRO has speeded up the construction of the vital road in the past two years. “The pace at which the BRO is constructing the road gives a hope that the work will be completed soon giving respite to villagers of the Vyans valley, besides security personnel posted at the border with China,” said Manjula Budiyal, zila panchayat member from Bundi village of the Vyans valley.