A three-member panel led by Union Health Minister JP Nadda will hold talks with the Bijli Mahadev Sangharsh Samiti. The Samiti has been opposing the construction of an aerial ropeway to the hilltop shrine. The meeting will take place in New Delhi on November 3.
Former MP Maheshwar Singh, who is the chharibardar (chief caretaker) of Lord Raghunath and a descendant of the erstwhile Kullu royal family, said, “The Prime Minister has constituted a three-member committee comprising BJP chief Nadda, Arun Singh and Mahender Pandey to hold talks with the stakeholders on the issue of setting up of the Bijli Mahadev ropeway as he himself is very busy.”
Maheshwar said the Bijli Mahadev Sangharsh Samiti, opposing the ropeway project, is scheduled to meet the committee in New Delhi on November 3. “We had sought an appointment with Nadda earlier, but since he was occupied with the elections, we have now been given a date,” he said.
Reiterating his opposition, Maheshwar said locals would not allow the construction of the ropeway. He added that locals are strongly against the project as it could harm the pristine environment of the area, which is sacred to villagers across Kullu and Manali.
The Badi Jagati (assembly of deities), held at Naggar in Kullu on Friday, also expressed discontentment over the ropeway project.
Meanwhile, due to the ongoing controversy, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has given time to the state government and the National Highways Logistics Management Ltd (NHLML), the executing agency of the project, to file their replies.
The NGT, in its order on Thursday, listed the matter for the next hearing on November 13. The Advocate General representing the state said the replies would be submitted within three days. The NHLML also assured that its response would be filed within a week.
During the NGT hearing on October 17, the state government stated that it had only a limited role in the project as it was being executed by the NHLML. It clarified that no clearances have been issued by the state authorities and that its role in environmental matters related to the project is minimal.
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