Bhuntar-Manikaran road widening sought
“The demand of the people is genuine. I have already taken up the matter with state government. Earlier the state government was planning to widen this road under Bharatmala road project but the proposal could not make any progress. Now the work has been entrusted to the national highway authority and progress in work will be witnessed soon”. Sunder Singh Thakur, Kullu MLA
Dipender Manta
Tribune News Service
Mandi, January 30
Residents of Kullu and Manikaran area have demanded widening of the Bhuntar –Manikaran road in Kullu district for smooth flow of traffic.
Earlier, a proposal was there to widen this road under Bharatmala road project but no headway could be made till now.
The residents of the area said that the Bhunter-Manikaran road is one of the key roads in the district, which is used by a large number of tourists and devotees round the year to reach tourist and religious places of Manikaran and Kasol. They said that the tourists visit Manikaran as the place holds immense religious importance. Devotees and tourists from far off places come to pay obeisance at gurdwara and the temple of a Hindu deity at a single place.
On way to Manikaran is picturesque Kasol area, which is blessed with bounty of nature. A large number of foreign and domestic tourists prefer to stay in Kasol.
Kishan Thakur, a resident of Kasol, said that the road is lifeline of the area. Kasol and Manikarna areas are famous for their panoramic view, which attracts a large number of tourists round the year. The road is narrow at several places, which makes the movement of buses on the stretch risky.
“Road accidents have been reported on the road, costing many lives. There is need to widen this road for smooth traffic movement. This will give boost to tourism sector here in Kullu district”, he added.
Sanjay Sharma, a native of Manikaran, said there is need to develop road infrastructure in Manikaran valley to promote tourism sector. It was a long pending demand of people in Kullu district.
When contacted, Kullu MLA Sunder Singh Thakur replied, “The demand of the people is genuine. I have already taken up the matter with state government”.
He said that earlier state government was planning to widen this road under Bharatmala road project but the proposal could not make any progress. Now this road work has been entrusted to the national highway authority and progress will be witnessed soon.
The MLA stated that he would take up the issue with state government once again so that road widening work could be started as soon as possible for the convenience of travelers.
