TNR News Network
Dharamshala: The seat of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama at McLeodganj near Dharamshala in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh has been partially cut off from the outside world after incessant rains and landslides battered the only road link to the hill town.
The Dharamshala-McLeodganj bypass has been declared unsafe for heavy vehicles, with the district administration imposing a complete ban on the movement of trucks, trailers and other commercial carriers.
Administration steps in under Disaster Act
Kangra Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa, who also heads the District Disaster Management Authority, invoked Section 34 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, to issue the order. No heavy vehicle will be allowed on the road until further notice. Officials warned that defiance of the directive will invite strict legal action.
Rain-weakened road raises alarm
Reports submitted by the Dharamshala SDM highlighted multiple incidents of road sinking and landslides along the bypass stretch. Local police and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) engineers had flagged that the rain-loosened slopes could not withstand the load of heavy vehicles. Following the alert, the administration permitted only light motor vehicles to ply on the route while instructing the NHAI to undertake urgent repairs.
Global spiritual hub under stress
McLeodganj, perched in the Dhauladhar ranges, holds global significance as the seat of the Dalai Lama and the headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile. Every year, thousands of international tourists, Buddhist scholars and devotees visit the town, making it a cultural and spiritual hub of global repute. The current disruption has sparked concerns for residents, traders and visitors alike, with fears that prolonged isolation could hit livelihoods and tourism-dependent businesses in the region.
