Residents seek widening of Bhuntar-Manikaran road

Tribune News Service

Mandi, February 3

Residents of Kullu and Manikaran have demanded the widening of the Bhuntar–Manikaran road in Kullu district for smooth flow of traffic. Earlier, a proposal was there to widen this road under the Bharatmala road project but no headway could be made till now.

They added that tourists visit Manikaran as the place holds immense religious importance. Devotees and tourists from far off places come to pay obeisance at the gurdwara and the temple of a Hindu deity at one place.

The way to Manikaran passes through the picturesque Kasol area, which is blessed with the bounty of nature.

A large number of foreign and domestic tourists prefer to stay at Kasol.

Kishan Thakur, a resident of Kasol, said, “The road is the lifeline of the area. Kasol and anikarna areas are famous for their panorami 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 boost the tourism sector in Kullu district,” he added.

Sanjay Sharma, a native of Manikaran, said that there was need to develop road infrastructure in the Manikaran valley to promote the tourism sector. It was a long pending demand of people of Kullu district.

Kullu MLA Sunder Singh Thakur said, “The demand of the people is genuine. I have already taken up the matter with the state government”.

He said that earlier the government was planning to widen this road under the Bharatmala road project but the proposal could not make progress. Now, this road work had been entrusted to the National Highways Authority of India and the progress would be witnessed soon.

The MLA said that he would take up the issue with the government once again so that the road widening work could be started as soon.