Complete Ban on Sale of Plastic and Other Prohibited Items – Kulbir Singh Rana
200 New Pre-Fabricated Toilets to Be Built Along the Manimahesh Trek for Pilgrim Convenience
Bharmour: A crucial meeting of the Manimahesh Trust was held on Thursday at the Mini Secretariat Conference Hall in Bharmour to discuss the advance preparations for the Shri Manimahesh Yatra 2025. The meeting was chaired by Trust President and Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Bharmour, Kulbir Singh Rana, and attended by both government and non-government members.
During the meeting, detailed discussions took place to ensure the smooth execution of the pilgrimage. ADM Rana instructed all key departments to implement necessary management arrangements within stipulated timelines. He directed the health department to ensure adequate medical facilities along the designated pilgrimage routes.
Additionally, he instructed the Public Works Department to install crash barriers along the Bharmaani road and commence widening and repair work on the pedestrian route from Hadsar to Dunali. The electricity department was also directed to establish power supply infrastructure from Hadsar to Dhanchho.
To strengthen sanitation management, the Block Development Officer was appointed as the nodal officer and tasked with ensuring the timely repair and functional operation of all toilets from Bharmour to Manimahesh Dal Lake. A cleanliness drive up to Manimahesh Dal Lake is scheduled for July, for which ADM Rana urged locals to actively participate.
Regarding connectivity, Rana announced the construction of a mobile tower in Balmui, which would significantly improve communication up to Dhanchho.
ADM Rana emphasized that Shri Manimahesh Yatra would be conducted strictly in accordance with the directives of the National Green Tribunal (NGT). To ensure compliance, a committee has been formed under the leadership of the Bharmour Forest Division Officer with local stakeholders. He highlighted that the Manimahesh pilgrimage region is an ecologically sensitive zone, making it imperative for all departments to strictly adhere to NGT guidelines to preserve its natural sanctity and biodiversity.
As per NGT orders, the sale of plastic and other prohibited items will be completely banned, and online registration will be mandatory for all pilgrims.
Officials from the National Highway Authority informed that the tarring and asphalt layering of National Highway 154-A from Bharmour to Bagga would commence from the next day and be completed within two months.
The meeting also discussed various proposed infrastructure improvements along the pilgrimage route. Among the new development plans:
- 200 pre-fabricated toilets will be constructed along the trek.
- 200 streetlights will be installed on the Manimahesh route.
- Grid power supply will be established from Hadsar to Dal Lake.
- 50 solar streetlights will be installed along Bharmaani pedestrian route.
ADM Bharmour stressed the importance of active participation from all trust members to ensure a safe, well-organized, and successful pilgrimage.
The meeting was attended by District Tourism Development Officer Rajiv Mishra, District Language Officer Tukesh Kumar, Bharmour Forest Division Officer Navnath Mane, Regional Transport Officer Chamba Ram Prakash, Block Development Officer Ramanveer Chauhan, along with non-government representatives Ranjit Sharma, Bhajan Thakur, Parsottam Sharma, Kuldeep Singh, Sanjeev Kumar, Mahendra Sharma, Suman Kumar, and officials from various departments.
Mahinder Patyal
