Chamba’s Saach Pass to reopen by May 30 after 6-month winter closure

The Public Works Department (PWD) has set a target to reopen the crucial Saach Pass (earlier called Sach Pass), which connects the remote tribal region of Pangi with the district headquarters in Chamba, by May 30. Restoration efforts have picked up pace as teams work to clear heavy snow and glacier buildup along the high-altitude route.

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According to officials, PWD teams have successfully cleared 10 glaciers so far and are now working to cut through the over a dozen remaining glaciers to ensure smooth vehicular movement. Restoration work is being carried out simultaneously from both the Chamba and Pangi sides.

Out of the total stretch covered under snow, 30 km of road has already been cleared, while snow removal on the remaining 35 km is being undertaken on a war footing. In some sections, snow mounds as high as 15 to 20 metres are being manually cut to open the road.

Executive Engineer of PWD (Pangi Division), Ravi Kumar Sharma, said almost 50% snow removal operation is complete and the remaining work is also progressing rapidly. “We have set a target to reopen the road by May 30.

The pass typically remains blocked for more than six months every year due to heavy snowfall, leaving the residents of Pangi cut off from the rest of the district. Once reopened, the route will not only benefit the local population but also boost the region’s emergency response, tourism, and economic activity.

Due to the seasonal closure of Saach Pass during winter months, residents of Pangi are forced to undertake a gruelling 600-km journey via Jammu and Kashmir to reach Chamba. The reopening of the pass will reduce the travel distance to just 170 kilometres, significantly easing connectivity and travel time.