Spiti residents rally in Kaza over delay in Gramphu-Losar road restoration

Amid mounting frustration over delays in restoring the vital Gramphu-Losar stretch on the Sumdo-Kaza-Gramphu highway, residents of Spiti valley on Sunday staged a peaceful protest in Kaza, demanding immediate action against the executing agency, Garg & Sons, for alleged negligence.

The rally, led by local activist Kesang Rapchik along with youth groups, witnessed participation from a wide cross-section of the community, including hotel associations, homestay owners, taxi operators and members of the local Beopar Mandal. Protesters voiced strong resentment, pointing out that despite relatively low snowfall this winter, the pace of road restoration had remained unacceptably slow, disrupting daily life and crippling tourism prospects.

Marching through Kaza town and raising slogans, participants called for accountability and swift intervention by authorities. They stressed that the continued delay in reopening the Gramphu-Losar stretch has severely impacted connectivity in the remote tribal district, affecting not only economic activity but also access to emergency services.

Addressing the gathering, Kesang Rapchik said the people of Spiti have long faced neglect and emphasised the need for collective action to safeguard their interests. He warned that if the executing agency continues to show laxity, the agitation could intensify in the coming days.

The issue has also drawn attention at the political level. Lahaul and Spiti MLA Anuradha Rana recently inspected the restoration work between Losar and Batal during her visit to Kunzum Pass and expressed dissatisfaction over the slow progress. She noted that the matter had already been raised in the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha, yet little improvement was visible on the ground.

During her interaction with officials from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), administrative officers and representatives of Garg & Sons, the MLA issued strict directions to expedite the work. She cautioned that any further delay or negligence would invite stringent action.

Rana underlined that the road serves as a crucial lifeline for Spiti, particularly during the summer months when it facilitates access from Manali and Lahaul, sustaining the region’s tourism-driven economy. Residents and stakeholders reiterated that timely restoration of the highway is critical with the tourist season approaching.