PWD Minister Vikramaditya pushes for construction of Chehni tunnel

A delegation from Pangwal Ekta Manch, Pangi, met Public Works Department Minister Vikramaditya Singh in Shimla yesterday to raise the issue of construction of Chehni Pass tunnel, which is part of the in-principle declared national highway Dramman-Sihunta-Chowari-Jot-Chamba-Koti-Tissa-Killar (271 km). While the formal notification is still awaited, the delegation urged the minister to expedite the matter with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).

The PWD Minister assured the delegation that he would take up the issue with the Central Government. Acting on his directions, the Chief Engineer (NH) of HP PWD Shimla, through a letter dated February 5, formally requested the Additional Director General (North I & II) at MoRTH, Transport Bhawan, New Delhi, to approve the alignment report of the proposed road at the earliest and also explore possibilities of constructing the tunnel.

Trilok Thakur, chairman of Pangwal Ekta Manch, Pangi, expressed gratitude to the PWD Minister for actively pursuing the matter with the Central authorities, bringing the project a step closer to realisation.

The tunnel is a longstanding demand of the people of Pangi. The state PWD authorities have already submitted a draft alignment report to the Central Government proposing to construct 9.55 km tunnel under Chehni Pass. If approved, the tunnel will not only provide all-weather connectivity to Pangi valley, but also be of strategic importance enabling swifter movement of troops to the border areas. Shortest route connecting the Pangi valley with Chamba passes through the 4,500-m Sach Pass. However, the road remains closed for nearly six months due to snowfall and people have to take the 700-km detour via Jammu and Kashmir or Manali to reach district headquarters.