MLA raises Spiti bypass issue in House for early construction

Lahaul and Spiti MLA Anuradha Rana raised the long-standing issue of the Leo bypass in the Vidhan Sabha recently, demanding that it be handed over to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for early construction and maintenance. This strategic road, which connects the Spiti valley of Lahaul and Spiti district with Kinnaur district, has been under construction for over two decades but has yet to be completed.

Rana emphasised the urgency of early completion of the project, which is vital for both local population and national security. The work on the bypass, once completed, will reduce distance between Shimla and Kaza by 105 kilometres. Currently, the road journey between these two points nearly 460 kilometres, passing through Sumdo, close to the sensitive China border in the Lahaul and Spiti region.

The MLA stated that the road is of great strategic importance as it would provide the Indian Army with easier access to the China border in the Lahaul and Spiti district, enhancing national security. She highlighted the prolonged delay in its completion and stated that local residents have been calling for early completion of the project.

“The road is strategically important and its timely completion is crucial. The residents of Lahaul and Spiti have been waiting for years for this vital infrastructure,” MLA Rana said during the session.

Public Works Department Minister Vikramaditya Singh assured the House that the state government had already initiated discussions with the BRO to take over the project. However, he added that the government had yet to receive a formal response from the BRO regarding the takeover. Singh assured that he would raise the matter with the Defence Minister to push for a swift resolution.

The 72-km bypass stretches from Kafnu in Kinnaur district to Mud village in Lahaul and Spiti. Of this, 44 km lies in Kinnaur district, while the remaining 28 kilometre falls in Lahaul and Spiti. The bypass will connect NH-5 at Kafnu with NH-505 near the Atargu Bridge in Spiti, which will not only reduce travel time but also improve connectivity between remote areas of the state.

Will cut travel time

• This strategic road, which connects the Spiti valley of Lahaul and Spiti to Kinnaur district, is under construction for over two decades
• The bypass, once completed, will reduce travel time between Shimla and Kaza by 105 km
• Currently, the road journey between Shimla and Kaza is nearly 460 km, passing through Sumdo, close to the China border in Lahaul-Spiti
• The bypass will connect the NH-5 at Kafnu to the NH-505 near the Atargu bridge in Spiti, which will not only reduce travel time but also improve connectivity