Munish Sood
Mandi
In a remarkable display of administrative coordination and human compassion, a critically injured youth from Kullu was successfully transported to AIIMS Bilaspur through a specially created green corridor—despite a four-day blockade on the Kullu-Mandi highway caused by relentless landslides.
Race Against Time and Terrain
The patient, 32-year-old Abhinav Sankhyan, sustained a severe head injury during the devastating Inner Akhara Bazaar landslide in Kullu. With over a dozen debris-hit stretches and hundreds of stranded vehicles, the odds were stacked against his survival. Yet, the administrations of Kullu and Mandi, supported by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), managed to carve out a critical passage for his ambulance.
Political Intervention Sparks Action
Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur played a pivotal role in the rescue. Upon receiving a plea from Abhinav’s relative, Dimple Sharma, Thakur immediately directed officials to mobilize resources. Police escorts, debris-clearing teams, and standby ambulances were deployed along the vulnerable route to ensure uninterrupted transit.
Family Still Reeling from Tragedy
While Abhinav reached Bilaspur for advanced care, his mother and grandmother remain hospitalized in Kullu. Search operations continue for six missing tenants who were buried under the landslide debris.
A Humanitarian Mission Amid Crisis
Doctors had initially recommended airlifting the patient, but adverse weather made it impossible. The green corridor emerged as the only lifeline. “This wasn’t just an administrative exercise—it was a humanitarian mission,” said Abhinav’s relatives, expressing deep gratitude to the officials and Jai Ram Thakur.
Symbol of Resilience and Unity
As Himachal Pradesh grapples with the fury of monsoon-triggered disasters, this rescue stands as a testament to what swift political will and collective effort can achieve—even in the face of nature’s harshest challenges.
