45 roads restored, 89 still cut off in Lahaul-Spiti district
PWD battles deep snow after January storm; efforts on to reconnect remote valleys
Lahaul and Spiti district continues to face severe transportation challenges after heavy snowfall on January 23 and 24 disrupted road connectivity across the tribal region. Of the total 134 roads under the Lahaul and Udaipur divisions of the Public Works Department (PWD), only 45 have been restored so far, while 89 remain blocked due to heavy snow accumulation.
The PWD is making sustained efforts to restore connectivity, but harsh weather conditions and deep snow layers are slowing operations. PWD Udaipur Executive Engineer (XEN) Pawan Rana said around 20 JCBs and dozers had been deployed across the two divisions for snow clearance. He said restoration work was being carried out on a war footing and significant progress had been made, with 45 roads reopened. However, the department was facing serious challenges in remote and high-altitude areas.
Snow clearance operations are under way in the remote Miyar Valley, where thick snow cover and difficult terrain have hampered restoration work. Rana said efforts were being intensified to reconnect cut-off villages at the earliest.
A similar situation is being witnessed in Spiti Valley, where restoration is progressing steadily. PWD Kaza Officiating XEN Abhishek Malhotra said around 50 roads were blocked after the snowfall. Of these, most have been restored and only nine roads remain to be cleared. He expressed confidence that the entire Spiti Valley would be fully connected within a week, subject to favourable weather.
The snowfall had completely cut off Lahaul and Spiti from the rest of Himachal Pradesh by road. However, swift action by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) helped restore vital connectivity. The strategically important Manali-Leh highway between Manali and Keylong was reopened within a few days, re-establishing access to the district.
Another key road linking the remote Pangi region of Chamba with the Lahaul Valley was also restored via Kadu Nala on the Sansari-Killar-Thirot-Tandi road, improving access to Pangi.
Despite these efforts, several major routes remain closed. The Darcha-Sarchu and Darcha-Shinkula roads are still blocked due to heavy snow, restricting movement to higher-altitude areas.
Lahaul and Spiti MLA Anuradha Rana has directed PWD authorities to expedite restoration work and ensure early reopening of roads to remote villages, stressing the need to restore essential transport services at the earliest.
