Himachal CM Makes Historic Overnight Visit to Inaccessible Bara Bhangal, Announces Pension and Eco-Tourism Push
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu completed a two-day visit to Bara Bhangal, one of the state's most remote tribal regions in Kangra district, on June 28, 2026. The visit was part of the Congress government's 'Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar' initiative, which aims to bring administration to the farthest corners of the state.
Mr. Sukhu is the first Chief Minister to spend a night in Bara Bhangal, a region that remains completely cut off from the rest of the state for several months each winter due to heavy snowfall and lack of motorable roads. He arrived on June 27 and stayed overnight.
During his stay, the Chief Minister announced a monthly pension of ₹1,500 for all eligible women in Bara Bhangal. He also stated that the region would be developed as an eco-tourism destination. The government plans to create a distinct brand identity for the locally grown Bara Bhangal rajma (kidney beans) to improve its market value.
Addressing residents on Sunday, Mr. Sukhu appealed to farmers to adopt natural farming practices. He assured them that they would benefit from the government's Minimum Support Price (MSP) for naturally grown produce. He also asked residents to plant walnut and chestnut saplings and promised better prices for locally produced meat products.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the visit was not politically motivated. 'Had politics been my objective, I would have visited more densely populated areas. Our government's priority is to ensure that development reaches even the remotest corners of the state,' he said at a public gathering.
Mr. Sukhu further assured the people that the government would declare Bara Bhangal a natural farming panchayat. He also confirmed that efforts would be made to secure Scheduled Tribe status for the region.
On road connectivity, the Chief Minister stressed the need to expedite construction. He directed officials to invite separate tenders for each kilometre of the proposed road to accelerate progress.
This visit is part of a series of similar trips undertaken by Mr. Sukhu under the 'Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar' initiative. Over the past few months, he has visited and stayed overnight in other remote areas, including Dodra-Kwar and Kupvi in Shimla district, Baga Sarahan in Kullu district, and villages in the tribal districts of Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur.
The initiative is intended to ensure that government schemes reach the most isolated communities. Bara Bhangal, located in the high Himalayas, has a small population that relies primarily on agriculture and animal husbandry. The region's rugged terrain and extreme weather conditions have historically limited government presence.
