HP pushes the tunnel project on Gramphu-Sumdho highway

The state government in HP is contemplating to build a tunnel ensuring all-weather traffic flow below the 15,000ft high Kunzum pass on the Gramphu-Sumdho highway. Forest and tribal development minister Ram Lal Markanda informed that ₹200 crore has been sanctioned for the maintenance of the highway. The highway near Kunzum Pass is in a poor condition and is sinking regularly. In the winter, the pass is covered with 50 ft thick blanket of snow, which makes it impossible to open the road for traffic. After the completion of the Rohtang tunnel, there are chances that the road till the base of the Kunzum can be kept open in the winter season as well. If the Kunzum pass is bypassed by a tunnel, maintenance of the highway will be easy. This is an important highway as it is a lifeline for locals and tourists, and hence efforts are being made to make it a double-lane highway.