Director General of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan called on Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today to discuss with him key road infrastructure projects under Project Deepak. Sukhu urged Lt Gen Srinivasan to take over the maintenance of several critical roads, including the Leo Chango and Shiv Mandir-Gue routes, which are managed by the state Public Works Department (PWD) at present. The meeting focused on the ongoing construction of strategically important roads and the work to improve road connectivity in the state.
The Chief Minister also proposed that the BRO should take over more roads such as the Wangtu-Attargoo-Mudh-Bhawa Pass road. “This new road, which has recently received clearance from the National Board for Wildlife, will connect Kinnaur to Lahaul-Spiti district. To be built at an altitude of 4,865 metre, the road will become the second-highest motorable road in India, after Khardung La. The project is expected to reduce the distance between Shimla and Kaza by nearly 100 km, providing a critical alternative to the current, more arduous route via Nako, Sumdo and Tabo. Once completed, the road will not only improve accessibility and bolster tourism but will also enhance defence logistics in the region,” said Sukhu.
During the meeting, Lt Gen Srinivasan provided an update on the progress of the upgrade and development of three major national highways – NH-03, NH-05 and NH-505 – in the Manali and Sissu sectors. These projects, which fall under Project Deepak, are of critical importance for both national security and the enhancement of living conditions for residents in the state’s remote hill areas.
Sukhu lauded the efforts of the BRO in overcoming challenges posed by the state’s difficult high-altitude terrain. He emphasised the significant contribution of the BRO not only to national defence but also to improving the quality of life of people in isolated regions.
The Chief Minister urged Lt Gen Srinivasan to take over the Chamba-Bairagarh-Sach Pass-Killar road, which is of strategic significance, especially for the Pangi valley near the Pakistan border and the Line of Actual Control (LAC). “This route offers a vital north-south corridor that remains open only 4-5 months a year.”
He also raised the issue of the long-awaited 13-km Tissa Tunnel, which would reduce the distance between Chamba and Killar by 88 km, enabling all-weather connectivity.
Sukhu also expressed confidence that with BRO’s involvement, the pace of infrastructure development would quicken, leading to enhanced connectivity and economic growth in the state.
Lt Gen Srinivasan assured the Chief Minister that the process to hand over the roads would be completed soon and the in-principle approval for it had already been secured. Once the formalities were completed, the work on these roads would be expedited, he added.
