This story is from November 8, 2018

Himachal to build a road for Bara Bhangal area in Kangra

Himachal to build a road for Bara Bhangal area in Kangra
Shimla: The Bara Bhangal area of Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh is one of the deadliest places to live as it remains cut off from rest of world during six months of winter and has no road connectivity. Located between the Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges, Bara Bhangal is not accessible by road. During winters, the area remains cut off and in summer, horses carry ration to the villages located in the area.
Now for the first time, government has taken a decision to construct a road for the area.
Additional chief secretary (PWD) Manisha Nanda said a detailed project report for the ambitious 21km long road project to connect Bara Bhangal with Holi in Chamba has been prepared. She said the matter would be raised with the Union government for funding of Rs 27 crore for this project under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
Nanda had held a meeting meeting with chief engineers, superintending engineers and executive engineers of all zones of the public works department on Friday, to review the progress made under various schemes during which the issue of constructing a road to Bara Bhangal was also discussed.
Last year, the sudden closure of connectivity of pedestrian path had led to delay in transporting ration to the residents of Bara Bhangal. This year, too, the supply of ration to locals was delayed due to inclement weather conditions. In August last year, the people were supplied ration and other essential items before the winter snow blanketed the area. Although, ration and other essential items were dispatched to the area in mid-June this year, the supplies could not reach Bara Bhangal as a footbridge near Thamsar Pass was washed away.
Later, rations were sent through choppers and also through the mule route from Patlikuhl near Manali in Kullu district as rains had damaged the pedestrian trail between Bara Gaon to Bara Bhangal from Kangra side. The sudden snowfall in September and October this year left hundreds of shepherds and their herds of sheep and goat stranded in different parts of Bara Bhangal.
During elections, sending teams to remote Bara Bhangal polling station remains a challenge as either men and material needs to be airlifted from Baijnath to the area or the road route is used to reach Bara Bhangal. Staff on poll duty travel in a vehicle up to Nayagran in Chamba district, but thereafter the journey is on foot.
End of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA