Former MP slams Kullu MLA over Bijli Mahadev ropeway

Former MP Maheshwar Singh has launched a scathing attack on Kullu MLA Sunder Singh Thakur, questioning his aggressive push for the Bijli Mahadev ropeway project, despite the state government having no formal stake in it. Singh alleged that the urgency and lack of transparency surrounding the project raise serious concerns of potential irregularities.

In a statement, Singh claimed that even the presiding deity of the shrine has rejected the ropeway proposal and any move to override this divine will could have spiritual and social consequences.

Recalling the initial proposal, Singh said the original ropeway was to run from Talogi (on the left bank road) to Pechha in Kharal valley, a route intended to boost the local economy. This alignment had received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Chansari panchayat. However, he said, this plan was abandoned in favour of a new alignment from Pirdi to the hilltop in Kashawri panchayat, for which no NOC was sought or obtained.

Singh shared that he had met Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, who assured him that no step would be taken against the deity’s will. He also discussed the issue in detail with NHAI Director Prashant Jain. Concerns about the ropeway were also submitted by the Bijli Mahadev Ropeway Sangharsh Samiti to the Central Grievance Redressal Cell.

Despite these objections, construction began without warning, leading to the felling of 67 trees, with a total of 203 trees marked for cutting to make way for the project.

The Chharibardar (chief caretaker) of Lord Raghunath, the principal deity of Kullu, emphasised that Dev Niti (divine code of conduct) must take precedence over political motivations. “The will of the deity is supreme,” he said, vowing to follow the divine command at all costs.

Citing a past incident, Singh recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had once shown interest in visiting the Bijli Mahadev shrine by helicopter. The deity had granted one-time permission to build a temporary helipad — allowing only soil leveling, not excavation. However, the PM was unable to visit due to a packed schedule.