Cracks in hill, cracks in trust

Serious concerns are mounting in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district as villagers link rapid land subsidence to the ongoing construction of the Bijli Mahadev ropeway. Locals allege that the project, which involves large-scale tree felling on the sacred hill, has triggered cracks and instability on the slopes—raising fears of long-term ecological damage.

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Residents of Kharal Valley, located below the hilltop shrine, are alarmed at the impact on their fragile environment. Yashpal, a local resident, questioned the cost of the project, asking whether it represents “development or destruction”, as visible cracks have appeared soon after hundreds of trees were felled.

Om Prakash, another resident of the valley, warned that the subsidence threatens over 32 villages in the region. “The impact was immediate. Without a thorough scientific assessment, this interference with nature could have catastrophic consequences,” he said.

Adding a spiritual dimension to the opposition, Sanjeev, the haryan (custodian) of the deity Bijli Mahadev, asserted that any development must align with the will of the deity. He believes the recent ecological disruptions—and even the rare lightning strike on the Shivalingam after 15 years—are ominous signs of divine displeasure. Maheshwar Singh, former MP and chharibardar (chief caretaker) of Lord Raghunath, echoed these sentiments, reminding that Lord Mahadev is believed to absorb natural calamities to protect his devotees.

The tension spilled onto the streets as residents, including many women from Kharal Valley, gathered in Kullu town, demanding an immediate halt to the ropeway project. Protesters accused the forest department of bypassing public hearings and ignoring the sentiments of the community and the deity.

Past months have witnessed repeated protest rallies, bazaar bandhs and shutdowns in Akhara, Sarwari, Dhalpur and Bhuntar in solidarity with the resistance. Local leaders including Sarchand Thakur, president of the Ropeway Virodh Sangharsh Samiti, and Jiya Panchayat head Sanjeev Kumar continue to mobilise villagers, calling on the government to honor both ecological and cultural sensitivities. With growing unrest and no dialogue initiated by the authorities, the agitation is expected to intensify in the days ahead.