Himachal Pradesh : Bharmour MLA Janak Raj Leads Highway Blockade Over Damaged NH-154A, Warns of Indefinite Protest

Public anger over the worsening condition of the Chamba-Bharmour National Highway (NH-154A) spilled onto the streets on Sunday, as Bharmour MLA Janak Raj led a massive protest, blocking the crucial route for nearly 90 minutes.

With hundreds of supporters joining the agitation, the protest turned into a “chakka jam,” highlighting the daily struggles faced by commuters on one of the region’s most important highways.

The highway, which suffered severe damage during last year’s monsoon and natural disasters, continues to remain in a fragile state even after eight to nine months. Large portions of the road are still functioning through temporary diversion routes that are uneven and risky. Frequent landslides have only added to the challenges, disrupting traffic and putting lives at risk.

Addressing the crowd, MLA Janak Raj did not hold back his criticism. He said that thousands of commuters are being forced to travel under dangerous conditions every day. In a sharp remark, he stated that people are “travelling at the mercy of Lord Shiva,” reflecting the fear and uncertainty faced by locals.

He also raised serious concerns ahead of the upcoming Manimahesh Yatra, a major pilgrimage that attracts thousands of devotees. The MLA questioned why no significant repair work has been completed despite the urgency, warning that the current road condition could lead to major problems during the yatra season.

Janak Raj further questioned the utilisation of the ₹95 crore reportedly allocated by the Central Government for post-disaster repairs. He alleged that instead of prioritising public safety, authorities were more focused on contract distribution.

Calling the protest a “symbolic warning,” the MLA announced a strict deadline. He warned that if the highway is not repaired by May 15, he, along with BJP workers, will begin an indefinite protest by setting up tents on the road and completely blocking the route.

“This is just the beginning. If the government does not wake up, we will intensify the agitation, and the responsibility will lie entirely with the authorities,” he said.

Meanwhile, the political blame game has intensified. The Congress hit back at the BJP’s allegations, shifting the responsibility to the Centre. District Congress president Sujreet Bharmouri claimed that delays in releasing disaster relief funds from the Central Government significantly slowed down repair work.

He pointed out that Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had earlier promised to upgrade the Pathankot-Bharmour stretch of NH-154A and had even proposed a ropeway project. However, according to him, little progress has been made so far.

Bharmouri added that around ₹70 crore was released only three months ago, after which the state government initiated the tendering process. He assured that the project would soon be awarded and work would begin shortly.

As political tensions rise and public frustration grows, the condition of NH-154A remains a critical concern—not just for daily commuters, but also for thousands of pilgrims expected to travel the route in the coming months.

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