Upgrade to Double Lane for Sansari-Tandi Road in Pangi Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India

The Sansari-Killar-Thirot-Tandi road in Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district is set to be upgraded to a double lane under ‘Project Deepak’ of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). Located in the Pangi tribal valley, the road connects to the Lahaul valley in Lahaul-Spiti. The upgrade will facilitate all-weather connectivity between Pangi valley and Kullu district, which is emerging as a major commercial hub after the construction of Atal Tunnel. The area stays cut off for six-seven months due to heavy snow, making travel perilous for tourists and locals alike. The BRO has been tasked to upgrade the road to a double lane. The task force located at Manali has recently submitted a detailed project report (DPR) for the stretch from Udaipur to Tindi. It is also in the process of preparing DPRs for two remaining stretches from Shour to Killar and from Tandi to Thirot, which are expected to be prepared by August this year. The upgradation of the road will also facilitate setting up of Run-of-the-River Hydro Electric Projects (HEP) in river Chenab in Himachal Pradesh. The National Hydropower Corporation (NHPC) has plans to execute the 500 MW Duggar HEP, which will be the largest project in the area. The land acquisition and forest clearance are being processed simultaneously, and the BRO is pursuing the matter with civil administration officials concerned, as the commencement of the work is subject to land acquisition and forest clearance.