Local leader opposes Bijli Mahadev ropeway

Ram Singh, former vice-chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (HPMC), has voiced strong opposition to the proposed ropeway to the Bijli Mahadev shrine, citing environmental harm and religious concerns. Singh revealed that the project could lead to the felling of up to 209 trees, 70 of which have already been cut. He stressed that this deforestation would severely impact the region’s delicate ecology.

He further claimed that the project defies the express wishes of Lord Bijli Mahadev, conveyed through Dev Vaani—the deity’s divine oracle. According to devotees, the deity has clearly opposed any mechanized access to the shrine. Despite this, Singh said, both ruling and opposition parties have chosen to remain silent, disregarding the spiritual sentiment of the local people.

While not against development, Singh argued that it should not come at the cost of environmental degradation or the erosion of cultural values. “The traditional trek to Bijli Mahadev maintains both the sanctity of the pilgrimage and the ecological balance of the mountains,” he said. Introducing a ropeway, he warned, could turn a sacred space into a commercialized tourist destination, weakening the deep spiritual connection between the deity and the local community.

Singh also raised concerns about the region’s increasing vulnerability to natural disasters, which he believes are exacerbated by reckless construction in fragile mountain ecosystems. “We must learn from the past. Projects that disregard nature and spiritual beliefs can lead to grave consequences,” he cautioned.

The Bijli Mahadev ropeway, first proposed nearly 30 years ago, gained traction after sustained efforts by Kullu MLA Sunder Singh Thakur. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari even performed its virtual bhoomi pujan on March 5, 2024. However, Singh pointed out that the project’s current alignment disregards both divine guidance and public sentiment.

He urged the government to pause and reassess the ropeway, warning that ignoring the will of the deity and local people could have long-term repercussions for both the environment and the faith of the valley’s residents.

Himachal Tribune