Himachal CM Sukhu Announces Development Package For Bara Bhangal Village

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu visited the remote Bara Bhangal valley in the Dhauladhar mountain range of Kangra district, announcing a series of development initiatives aimed at improving connectivity, infrastructure, and livelihoods in the isolated tribal region. The visit comes after nearly 15 years, highlighting the state government’s renewed focus on hard-to-reach areas. Sukhu also spent a night in Bara Bhangal, marking a first for any Chief Minister in the region.

During his stay, the Chief Minister interacted closely with residents of the valley, which is home to around 48 families and remains one of the most inaccessible settlements in Himachal Pradesh due to the absence of motorable roads. Locals continue to rely on steep mountain trails for essential movement, often carrying supplies and even patients on their shoulders. Sukhu’s overnight stay was widely viewed as a symbolic gesture underscoring administrative attention to the region’s long-standing isolation.

A key highlight of the visit was the announcement of a dedicated development package, including the allocation of ₹10 crore for road construction to Bara Bhangal. The Chief Minister directed officials to speed up the project by issuing separate tenders for each kilometre of road. He also suggested exploring the feasibility of transporting construction machinery via air to overcome geographical challenges and accelerate execution in the difficult terrain.

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On the infrastructure front, Sukhu reviewed electricity supply and communication gaps in the region. He instructed authorities to install diesel generator sets as interim relief and proposed solar energy options along with the revival of a flood-damaged hydropower project. To address connectivity issues, he said the government would engage private telecom operators to introduce mobile services at the earliest, ensuring better communication access for residents in the remote valley.

The Chief Minister also focused on strengthening the local economy and agriculture. He proposed branding the region’s famous rajmah (kidney beans) to improve market value and encouraged natural farming practices, including the plantation of walnut and chestnut trees. He further stated that Bara Bhangal would be developed as a natural farming panchayat and that efforts would be made to secure Scheduled Tribe status for the area, along with better price support under government schemes.

In addition, Sukhu announced measures related to education, healthcare, and welfare, including incentives for students, potential hostel facilities, and improved schooling support. He also assured local training for basic healthcare services and financial assistance for community groups. Under the ‘Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar’ initiative, his visit formed part of a broader outreach programme aimed at directly engaging with residents of remote regions and addressing long-pending development concerns.

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