Gramphu-Kaza highway officially closed for traffic via Kunzum Pass

Deputy Commissioner and chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority, Lahaul and Spiti, Rahul Kumar has announced that the Gramphu to Losar stretch of Gramphu-Kaza highway via Kunzum Pass will be closed for traffic from November 23 until the next summer in Lahaul and Spiti district. No movement will be allowed on this road and violation of this order will attract penalty under Section 51 of the Disaster Management Act-2005, which includes imprisonment for up to one year, fine or both.

Explaining the reason behind this decision, the DC stated that heavy snowfall has led to the accumulation of ice on the Kunzum Pass, making it unsafe for travel. To prevent accidents and avoid situations where travellers could get stranded, traffic has been prohibited on this route. He further mentioned that there have been previous incidents where sudden snowfall caused passengers to be trapped and the difficult conditions posed significant risks for rescue operations.

The DC also mentioned that both the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and the Superintendent of Police, Lahaul and Spiti, had urged for the closure of the road to ensure the safety of travellers and the general public. He appealed to the people needing to travel from Lahaul to Spiti or vice versa should to use the alternative Kinnaur route.