Wait over, bus service resumed on Killar-Chamba route

Naresh Thakur

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Chamba, July 20

After a long wait of nine months, the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) resumed its Killar-Pangi services via the 4,414-m Sach Pass yesterday, providing relief to the tribal Pangwal community.

Commuters had to pay Rs 1,000 for a one-way taxi ride on this route. With the bus service resuming, they can now travel the same distance for just Rs 350. The daily bus from Killar departs at 9.30 am, while the bus from Chamba leaves at 5.30 am, offering convenient travel options to the locals.

Raman Gharsangi, Sub-Divisional Officer, Pangi, flagged off the first bus. On its inaugural run, the bus ferried 10 passengers to Chamba.

The Sach Pass route, at an altitude of about 14,500 ft, is the shortest link connecting Killar — the sub-divisional headquarters of the Pangi valley — with Chamba.

The route was reopened to light vehicles by the Public Works Department in early June. However, the bus service was delayed due to multiple landslides triggered by snow between Gugu Gharat and Kalaban.

Local residents have expressed their delight on the resumption of the bus service. They also said the government should consider running additional buses between Killar and Chamba to accommodate more passengers.

A passenger, Keval Krishna, said the bus saved their considerable time and money.

Located in the Pir-Panjal range of the Himalayas, the Sach Pass route is vital for Pangi residents. Being a narrow unpaved road, it takes about eight-nine hours to complete the 175-km journey from near Killar to Kalban. The bus service is officially suspended on October 15 with the onset of winter.

Efforts are on to improve the narrow stretches. The alternative routes through J&K and Kullu-Manali — about 700 km — cost around Rs 2,000 for a one-way taxi.

Spread across 1,595 km, Pangi is home to 25,000 persons residing in 55 villages under 19 panchayats. Due to the lack of public transport, the travel to the district headquarters is economically challenging for the locals.