Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, assured residents of Lahaul-Spiti that the state government would commission a survey and a detailed project report (DPR) for a proposed tunnel beneath the Kunzum Pass — a move that could provide year-round road connectivity to one of India's most remote high-altitude districts. The announcement came during a public meeting in Kaza, the district headquarters of Spiti, as part of the Chief Minister's two-day visit to the region.

Kunzum Pass Tunnel and Connectivity Push

The Kunzum Pass, situated at an altitude of approximately 4,590 metres, remains snowbound for several months each year, cutting off Spiti Valley from the rest of Himachal Pradesh. Chief Minister Sukhu said the proposed tunnel would resolve this chronic isolation by ensuring road access throughout the year for both local residents and tourists. The DPR, once prepared, will determine the project's technical and financial scope before any construction is sanctioned.

₹500 Crore Development Package for Spiti

Beyond the tunnel, the Chief Minister announced a broad development package for the valley. The state government has committed to spending ₹500 crore on Spiti's development over the coming years, with an explicit goal of doubling the income of the region's residents. The Sumdo-Kaza transmission line, estimated at approximately ₹350 crore, is targeted for completion within three years and is expected to address a persistent electricity shortage that residents first flagged to Sukhu during his earlier visit on 15 April 2023 for Himachal Day. He said efforts to resolve the power deficit were beginning to show results on the ground.

Agriculture, Healthcare and Infrastructure Plans

Chief Minister Sukhu also announced that Spiti Valley would be declared a natural farming area, potentially opening avenues for organic certification and premium pricing for local produce. The government said it would explore the possibility of opening a college in Kaza town to expand higher education access. On healthcare, gynaecologists and medicine specialists are to be appointed at the Kaza hospital. A survey for a heliport in Kaza was also promised, a facility that could bolster tourism and provide emergency aerial access to the high-altitude region. The government noted that approximately 42 per cent of Himachal Pradesh's geographical area falls within cold desert regions, and that it was allocating additional funds for the welfare of populations in these areas.

OPS, DA and Centre's Withheld Funds

Addressing state government employees, Chief Minister Sukhu said the administration was continuously working for employee welfare and would consider releasing a dearness allowance (DA) instalment on Diwali. He reiterated that the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) had been restored to provide employees with dignity and social security, with plans to bring more employees under its coverage in coming years. Sukhu also alleged that the Central government had withheld ₹1,600 crore that Himachal Pradesh was entitled to receive annually, reportedly as a consequence of the state's decision to implement the OPS — a claim that reflects an ongoing fiscal standoff between Shimla and New Delhi.

What Comes Next

The Kunzum tunnel proposal now moves to the survey and DPR stage, after which project viability and funding routes — likely involving the Centre — will need to be determined. With Spiti's development now backed by a stated ₹500 crore outlay and a transmission line deadline, residents and advocacy groups will be watching whether execution follows the pace of announcements.