CHAMBA (Subhash Mahajan)
Following the conclusion of the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha’s winter session at Tapovan in Dharamshala, Dalhousie leaders Vikram Singh Jaryal and Ajay Chauhan, who is Municipal Council councillor of Ward No. 2, met Public Works and Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh to discuss pressing issues affecting Dalhousie.
The discussions focused on road construction, street-lighting, traffic management, tourism and employment. Concerns were raised about the deteriorating condition of Upper Bakrota Parmadham Road and Jamuni Road, with a request for a detailed project report (DPR) for the Lohali to Panchpula Bypass Road.
Demand for bypass to resolve traffic congestion
Long-standing street-lighting issues were also highlighted, with assurances of prompt resolution from the minister. The representatives emphasised the negative impact of traffic congestion and the lack of a bypass on Dalhousie’s tourism industry.
They urged the government to expedite the two-lane proposal for the Banikhet-Khajjiar state highway, a project pending since the tenure of former Chief Minister late Virbhadra Singh, highlighting its importance for Dalhousie and Khajjiar as major tourist destinations.
Concerns were also voiced about the declining employment opportunities for local youth, who are heavily reliant on the tourism sector. Given the limited success of other industries in the region, they stressed the need to prioritise tourism development.
Pinning hopes on Chief Minister Sukhu
Vikram Singh Jaryal called for urgent measures to improve Dalhousie’s infrastructure and traffic management, expressing hope that Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who recently declared Dharamshala as the tourism capital, would also address Dalhousie’s challenges.
Local leaders appealed to the government to take necessary steps to revive the tourism industry, ensuring Dalhousie retains its identity and secures livelihoods for its youth.
