A first: I-Day function at Bara Bhangal

Our Correspondent
Palampur, July 29

The Baijnath administration will hold the Independence Day function at Bara Bhangal this year, for the first time since Independence.

Kangra Deputy Commissioner Nipun Jindal has directed SDM Salem Aazam to unfurl the National Flag at Bara Bhangal. It will take two days for an administration team to reach Bara Bhangal by covering a distance of 60 km on foot. They will have to cross the Thamsar Pass, the highest peak, on the way to the valley.

Reaching Bara Bhangal is not an easy task. The track is considered one of the toughest in the state. A number of casualties are reported on the track every year.

The SDM and his team will also hold a “Khula Darbar” in Bara Bhangal to listen to public grievances.

Prem Kumar Dhumal was the first Chief Minister to visit Bara Bhangal in 2010 and listen to the problems of locals.

The total population of the valley is around 660. Most of the residents migrate to Bir and Baijnath before the onset of the winter. The valley remains snow-covered for nine months. There is no electricity supply in the valley during this time. The state government has provided a generator to the villagers but that is out of order.

Information gathered by The Tribune reveals that Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur is also keen to meet the residents of Bara Bhangal in September.