Kangana Urges Himachal Relief Package for Tourism Revival

BJP MP Kangana Ranaut issued an impassioned plea to the Himachal Pradesh government on Friday, urging a dedicated relief package for the state’s battered tourism industry, decimated by recent monsoon disasters. Touring hard-hit areas like Laghati, Dadka, Bhutti, Kullu city, and Manikaran valley in Kullu constituency, the Mandi Lok Sabha member also inaugurated a Seva Pakhwada blood donation camp, engaging directly with affected families and highlighting the plight of hoteliers, cab drivers, shop owners, and others tied to the hospitality sector.

Speaking to media in Kullu, Kangana painted a grim picture of the tourism collapse, particularly in Manali, where washed-out roads and debris have crippled access. “The Union government has provided a substantial package, but the state controls distribution. I urge the Himachal government to roll out a relief package for tourism stakeholders,” she stressed, pointing to the dire condition of roads that left her “feeling like crying.” She demanded faster debris clearance and road repairs, noting that the state’s disaster relief budget should be mobilized urgently.

Kangana didn’t hold back on criticism, alleging Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was absent during the crisis, while Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, her 2024 election rival, was preoccupied with his wedding. “Even officers are sitting in offices,” she charged, calling for direct talks with Sukhu to address the crisis. Her remarks stirred controversy, especially after she deflected questions about her own absence during the disaster by citing personal losses—her restaurant in the region earned just Rs 50 in a day despite a Rs 15 lakh monthly payroll. The comment, captured in a viral video, drew sharp online backlash, prompting her to urge media for “balanced reporting.”

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She praised the National Highway Authority of India for overnight road restorations, enabling her visit, and addressed the contentious Bijli Mahadev Ropeway project in Kullu. Despite local protests against the ropeway—intended to boost tourism to the temple 14 km from Kullu—Kangana said the Centre, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s devotion to Lord Shiva, would align with the temple administration and locals’ wishes. The project, opposed by residents who trekked for hours in a July rally, remains a flashpoint.

Kangana’s outspoken push for relief and her pointed jabs at the state government underscore the urgency of reviving Himachal’s tourism lifeline, as stakeholders await action to salvage a sector teetering on the edge.

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