20 Chamba roads still blocked, restoration efforts underway

Efforts to restore connectivity in the remote areas of the district are in full swing, with the Public Works Department (PWD) successfully clearing 38 roads on Monday. A total of 117 roads were initially blocked by the snowfall, and of these, 61 roads were reopened by Sunday.

According to PWD authorities, all roads in Chamba, Dalhousie, Salooni, and Bhattiyat subdivisions are now open for traffic. However, several roads in the Pangi and Bharmour subdivisions remain inaccessible. In Pangi, 10 roads are still blocked, while eight remain closed in Bharmour and two in Tissa.

Among the major roads, the Chamba-Bharmour National Highway 154-A has been reopened for all types of traffic up to Khadamukh, and beyond that, only light motor vehicles are allowed. The Banikhet-Dalhousie-Khajjiar Road is partially open, and the Chowari-Chamba road is also open to light vehicles, though the slippery conditions make it risky for travel.

Teams from the PWD are working tirelessly to restore transportation across the district and bring life back to normal. However, the Sansari-Killar-Thirot-Tandi road, which connects the tribal Pangi valley to the rest of the district, remains blocked. The road is managed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), and efforts to clear it are ongoing.

In addition to the roadblocks, electricity supply remains disrupted in many remote villages, with 29 transformers still out of service. The power outage is severely affecting daily life, leaving residents in these areas struggling with their regular tasks. The restoration work for both roads and electricity is expected to continue in the coming days.