Kuldeep Singh Pathania Seeks Approval for Chuwari–Chamba Tunnel and Draman–Pangi National Highway

Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker meets Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, urges early approval of strategically important road project

New Delhi, October 26: Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari at his official residence at 2:00 PM on Monday, October 26, 2026. During the meeting, Pathania urged the Union Minister to grant pending approval for the construction of a tunnel between Chuwari and Chamba, along with the development of the Shahpur–Draman–Singhuta–Chuwari–Chamba via Jot–Tissa–Sach–Pangi road as a National Highway (NH). He also submitted a written memorandum highlighting the importance of the proposed project.

Pathania informed Gadkari that the proposed road is strategically significant for the Indian Army's divisional headquarters at Yol Cantonment in Dharamshala. He said that in the event of any potential aggression by Pakistan or China against Indian territory, this road could play a crucial role in transporting military personnel and defence equipment to border areas. He emphasised that the project is not only important for regional development but is also closely linked to national security.

Seeks Revision of Existing Proposal

The Assembly Speaker informed the Union Minister that a section of the Chamba–Tissa–Bairagarh–Sach road in Chamba district is already under active consideration by the Government of India for development under the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF).

However, Pathania pointed out that developing only this section would not fulfil the broader strategic objective of establishing a comprehensive road network in the region. He urged the Union Government to revise the existing proposal and include the Draman–Singhuta–Chuwari–Chamba via Jot road to ensure that the strategically important route receives National Highway status at the earliest.

Road Section Already Widened Under World Bank and CIF Projects

Kuldeep Singh Pathania informed Gadkari that a section of the Shahpur–Draman–Singhuta–Chuwari–Chamba via Jot road had already been widened under projects supported by the World Bank and CIF. The road has now been developed to approximately double-lane standards.

He said that granting National Highway status to the route would significantly strengthen road connectivity in the region and provide easier transportation facilities to local residents.

Pathania also reminded the Union Minister that he had written to him several times earlier regarding the approval of this road. He said that he had previously been assured that the proposal would be considered for early approval in the public interest.

Gadkari Assures Consideration After Finalisation of New Guidelines

During the meeting, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari assured Pathania that the Government of India was in the final stages of deliberations on the policy governing the declaration of new National Highways.

He stated that once the new guidelines and criteria were finalised, the proposal for granting approval to the relevant section of the road would be considered in the public interest.

Gadkari acknowledged the strategic importance of the proposed road for Chamba district and the country. He said that approval of the project would provide significant relief to Chamba, an aspirational district, while also benefiting national security and tourism.

Easier Travel from Gaggal Airport to Pangi

Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania said that the development of this road as a National Highway would benefit military personnel, tourists and local residents travelling from Gaggal Airport towards Pangi.

He added that improved connectivity would make travel from Shahpur to Pangi easier and reduce travel time, providing substantial benefits to people living in remote areas of Chamba district.

Pathania expressed hope that the Central Government would approve the important road project after finalising the new guidelines. He said the project would strengthen connectivity in the remote areas of Chamba while addressing the region's strategic and defence requirements.