Kheerganga trekking route to be revamped at cost of Rs 30 lakh
The trekking route to Kheerganga in Parbati valley, having religious significance and renowned for its hot water springs, will be improved at a cost of Rs 30 lakh. The Forest Department has prepared a proposal and submitted it to the district administration to repair this 13 km long track. A proposal has been made to build a jeepable road from the main road to Nakthan. The trail beyond Nakthan will be enhanced for mountaineers and tourists, ensuring safer and easier access to Kheerganga.
Praveen Thakur, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Parbati division, said the department has sought around Rs 30 lakh to improve this track. He said, “Work will start on the ground as soon as approval is received from the administration.” He added that the journey of tourists and mountaineers on this risky track will be easy thereafter.
The DFO said permission was given to go on this route from April to October. He added, “More than one lakh tourists reach Kheerganga in these six months. Now its carrying capacity has been fixed at 320 per day. Due to this, the department will now send only a fixed number of tourists every day. A checkpost will be established to regulate tourists to the eco-fragile area.”
Presently the path to Kheerganga is narrow and perilous, with several sections dangerously close to the gushing Parbati river. Over the years, many tourists have tragically lost their lives on this trekking route and several others remain missing. Once the improvements are complete, the revamped route will offer safer passage for trekkers.
Kullu SDM Vikas Shukla said there was a plan to repair the 2.5 km road and the trek route ahead of it to Kheerganga to facilitate the tourists. He said, “A check post will be set up to keep a record of the trekkers and tourists going on this route, enabling quicker rescue operations in case of emergencies.”
Even in July last year, the Forest Department had removed around 500 tents in the Kheerganga area. The DFO clarified that new, eco-friendly accommodation units will be allowed in designated zones. “Eco-tourism activities will be conducted in line with the approved guidelines from both the Central and state ministries,” he said. Preference will be given to local youth, particularly those facing unemployment, to manage these activities.
