CM Sukhu Stays Overnight in Bara Bhangal, Announces ₹10 Crore for Road Project and Major Development Initiatives

Dharamshala, June 28, 2026: Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu's visit to the remote Bara Bhangal region of Kangra district marked a significant milestone, as he became the first Chief Minister to stay overnight in the area. During the visit, he inspected disaster-affected locations, interacted extensively with residents, participated in local cultural programmes, and announced a series of development initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure, connectivity, agriculture, education, healthcare, and tourism.
Immersing himself in the local culture, the Chief Minister donned the traditional Chola-Dora attire and joined villagers in performing traditional folk dances. He also visited the fields of local farmers to gain firsthand knowledge of the challenges they face.
Inspecting flood-affected areas near the helipad, the Chief Minister reviewed relief and rehabilitation measures with district officials. Stressing the urgent need for road connectivity, he directed the authorities to expedite the Bara Bhangal road project by inviting separate tenders for each kilometre to ensure faster execution. He also asked officials to explore the feasibility of airlifting heavy machinery for road construction and announced ₹10 crore for the project.
The Chief Minister held detailed discussions with residents on restoring electricity in the region. He directed the Electricity Department to install diesel generators of adequate capacity and conduct a survey for providing electricity connections and internal wiring to all households. Until permanent connectivity is established, he announced one diesel generator each for Upper Bara Bhangal and Lower Bara Bhangal.
He also reviewed proposals for reviving the flood-damaged hydroelectric project and discussed the possibility of establishing solar power projects in the area.
Interacting with farmers and sheep rearers, the Chief Minister discussed issues related to the cultivation, production, and marketing of Bara Bhangal's renowned Rajmah (kidney beans). He directed officials to develop a separate brand identity for Bara Bhangal Rajmah to enhance its market value.
Highlighting the government's commitment to natural farming, he said the Rajiv Gandhi Prakritik Kheti Start-up Yojana is encouraging sustainable agriculture across the state. Under the scheme, the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for naturally grown wheat has been increased from ₹60 to ₹80 per kilogram, maize from ₹40 to ₹50 per kilogram, and barley grown in Pangi Valley from ₹60 to ₹80 per kilogram. The MSP for turmeric has been enhanced from ₹90 to ₹150 per kilogram, while ginger now carries a support price of ₹30 per kilogram.
The Chief Minister also informed sheep rearers that the government has fixed the support price for wool at ₹100 per kilogram, enabling livestock farmers in Bara Bhangal to benefit from the initiative.
Responding to long-pending demands for better communication facilities, the Chief Minister assured residents that he would take up the issue of mobile connectivity with private telecom companies.
To improve educational opportunities, he announced that a special incentive scheme for students from Bara Bhangal would be explored, along with the construction of a hostel and arrangements for admission to CBSE schools. He further announced heli-taxi services for students at the beginning and end of every academic session.
The Chief Minister also directed officials to identify suitable forest land for tourism-related activities and reiterated his government's commitment to developing Bara Bhangal as a sustainable tourism destination.
To strengthen healthcare services in the remote region, the Chief Minister proposed training local residents in primary healthcare to ensure immediate medical assistance during emergencies.
Addressing a public meeting, he said his government's priority is to ensure that development reaches even the state's most inaccessible areas. He assured residents that efforts would be made to declare Bara Bhangal a Natural Panchayat, pursue Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the region,
increase the food grain quota at the local ration depot, and examine the feasibility of constructing a flood protection wall.
The Chief Minister also announced financial assistance of ₹2 lakh each for two local Mahila Mandals, ₹1 lakh for a Yuvak Mandal, and a monthly pension of ₹1,500 for eligible women under the Indira Gandhi Sukh Samman Nidhi scheme.
The visit generated considerable enthusiasm among local residents, who expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for visiting Bara Bhangal after a long gap. Villagers noted that no Chief Minister had visited the region since 2011 and described his overnight stay as historic. They expressed hope that the announcements and directions issued during the visit would accelerate the overall development of the remote tribal area.
Local MLA Kishori Lal, Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa, Superintendent of Police Kulbhushan Verma, and other senior officers accompanied the Chief Minister during the visit.