Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s visit to the remote Bara-Bhangal valley on Saturday has rekindled hopes among the 48 families living there that their decades-old demand for road connectivity and other basic civic amenities will finally receive government attention. Sukhu is the first Congress Chief Minister to visit Bara-Bhangal. Former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal had last visited the valley in 2010.
Inaccessible terrain and daily hardships
Nestled high in the Dhauladhar foothills, Bara-Bhangal valley in the Baijnath subdivision remains one of the most inaccessible habitations in Kangra district. In the absence of a motorable road, residents continue to carry elderly people, patients and essential supplies on their shoulders along a steep mountain trail. The village is located around 60 km from Bir.
The lack of road connectivity has made daily life extremely difficult, particularly for senior citizens, children and patients requiring urgent medical care. Elderly villagers recalled that, for decades, patients have been carried on makeshift stretchers or on the shoulders of relatives during medical emergencies. Transporting the sick to hospitals remains one of the biggest challenges for residents.
Gradual improvements but road remains critical
According to residents, the region has witnessed gradual improvements in recent years, including electrification and access to drinking water. However, road connectivity continues to be the village’s most pressing need. A portion of the proposed road had already been constructed, but the final stretch leading to the village remained incomplete. Villagers expressed hope that the Chief Minister’s visit would expedite long-pending development projects.
Villagers also demanded better mobile connectivity, improved healthcare facilities and reliable transport services. They said poor communication networks become a major obstacle during emergencies, especially during the monsoon season.
Landslide damage and safety concerns
The village has also suffered damage from landslides and heavy rainfall in recent years. Several houses remain vulnerable due to unstable slopes. Residents sought protective measures such as slope stabilisation and the construction of retaining walls to safeguard homes and agricultural land.
Preserving tradition while seeking progress
Despite these hardships, the people of Bara-Bhangal have preserved their traditional way of life. Elderly residents said they had spent most of their lives walking along narrow mountain trails and hoped that future generations would not have to endure similar hardships. Local panchayat representatives said the Chief Minister’s visit had raised expectations that long-pending development projects, particularly the construction of a motorable road, would finally gain momentum. They said road connectivity was essential for improving education, healthcare, economic opportunities and the overall quality of life in the remote village.
