Concerns raised over Turkish firm’s role in rail project survey

The Manali Hotel Association has voiced serious concerns regarding the involvement of Turkish company Yuksel Proje in the Bilaspur-Manali-Leh railway survey, citing national security and environmental risks. At a press conference, chief adviser Vedram Thakur called for the immediate suspension of the foreign firm’s role and urged the central government to assign the task to Indian agencies.

Thakur questioned the decision to engage a company from a country that maintains friendly ties with India’s adversaries. He warned that allowing such a firm to operate in sensitive border areas poses a significant security threat. The survey’s current zigzag alignment through orchards and near hotels, he alleged, appears suspicious and potentially damaging to local livelihoods.

He urged the government to reconsider the project’s alignment, highlighting the need for transparent consultations with local communities, former representatives, and panchayats. “Surveys must be conducted in a way that protects both the environment and the interests of the local people,” he stressed.

Referring to Turkey’s political stance, Thakur noted that the company’s country of origin has publicly supported Pakistan and made contentious statements on Kashmir. This, he argued, makes the involvement of a Turkish firm particularly inappropriate in a strategically sensitive area. He called for a new, independent survey to be conducted by Indian agencies to ensure national interests are safeguarded.

Environmental concerns were also central to Thakur’s address. He warned that the project could result in the felling of over one lakh trees, harming biodiversity, damaging water sources, and degrading forest land. The current route, he said, cuts through fertile orchards and rural settlements that form the backbone of the region’s horticulture economy.

Thakur added that the tourism sector—vital to Kullu-Manali—could face a downturn due to noise pollution, tunnel construction, and other disruptions. He feared this would negatively impact small businesses, hoteliers, taxi operators, and artisans.

While emphasising that the association is not against development, Thakur stressed that infrastructure projects must prioritise national security, environmental balance and the well-being of local communities. “Development must not come at the cost of our natural heritage and people’s livelihoods,” he concluded, urging the government to adopt a balanced and responsible approach.