Rescuers of Rohtang

Chunni Lal Thakur is a name every household in the vicinity of Rohtang Pass Highway Tunnel Project knows. Not only for leading rescue operations to save lives, but also because of the help and support he provides Afconians and locals to navigate safely around the extremely hostile area.

The Head-Safety, Rohtang Pass Highway Tunnel Project, says, “Skiing has been my passion, and I love exploring mountains. I joined the Indian Army in 1989 after completing my graduation in Manali. After 1996, I started exploring skiing further, and by 2005, I became a national coach. Since 2010, I’ve been part of the Rohtang Tunnel team.”

The primary task of Chunilal and his team is to analyse and assess risks and control them so that people around the project are safe. “We scan the entire terrain and over 13 avalanche areas and provide the site employees and locals with updates and data to navigate safely. My team has been doing this relentlessly for nine years,” he says.

And while the team has successfully managed to avert most disasters, there have been instances when they have risked their lives to save those trapped in avalanches. They rescued a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) jawan, who was trapped in an avalanche, at the north portal in 2018. “We had to dig almost five feet to reach him. My team continued relentlessly even as the threat of another avalanche loomed,” he recalls.

In April 2016, the team rescued four BRO officials trapped in an avalanche near Rakchi Dhak Temple on Manali-Rohtang-Khoksar Road. “Fortunately, we were returning from a recce of the north portal. We could save them in the nick of time. BRO praised my team for our efforts, and awarded us with a special appreciation letter,” he says.

The selflessness and dedication of Chunilal’s team has helped save many lives through the course of the project. Kudos to the amazing team and their efforts in the most adverse conditions!