BJP MLA Inder Singh Gandhi Submits Memorandum to Himachal Governor, Seeks Action on Development and Public Welfare Issues in Balh.
Shimla:
Balh BJP MLA Inder Singh Gandhi, along with the presidents of the BJP Nerchowk and Rewalsar (Balh) mandals and party workers, submitted a memorandum to the Governor of Himachal Pradesh through the Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil), Balh, raising a series of demands concerning roads, transportation, irrigation, drinking water, education, healthcare, flood protection and other development issues in the Balh Assembly constituency of Mandi district.
The memorandum, submitted on behalf of the people of Balh, stated that several development projects in the constituency have remained incomplete for years, while residents continue to face difficulties related to basic infrastructure and public services. The delegation urged the Governor to issue necessary directions to the concerned departments for time-bound action.
Demand to retain Atal Medical University at Nerchowk
One of the key demands was to stop the proposed process of shifting Atal Medical University from Nerchowk. The memorandum argued that sufficient land is available at Nerchowk for expansion of the university and that relocating it would be against the interests of local residents, students and the future development of the area.
The delegation requested that the university be retained at its existing location.
Work on projects whose foundation stones have been laid
The memorandum also sought immediate commencement of construction on projects for which foundation stones have already been laid, particularly the Rewalsar Bus Stand project and the Vegetable Market project at Balh (Karheri).
According to the memorandum, despite the formal foundation-laying ceremonies, construction work on both projects has not commenced. The MLA and BJP workers demanded that the projects be started without further delay.
Flood protection and channelisation works
A major portion of the memorandum focused on flood protection and riverbank protection.
The delegation demanded immediate implementation of the Suketi Khad embankment project, stating that its Detailed Project Report (DPR) has already been prepared. The proposed work, it said, is essential to protect agricultural land, crops and private property from erosion and flooding.
Other demands included:
– Completion of the incomplete Shekad Nala embankment work.
– Construction of embankment and protection works from the Nerchowk Truck Union area through Mzyatal Nala to Suketi Khad.
– Construction of an immediate protective wall in the Dhangoo area, where erosion from the Ratti Khad has reportedly created a threat to residential houses.
– Construction of a permanent and strong protection wall in the Dadaur Quad Market area, where water released by BBMB and rainwater are allegedly posing a threat to houses and property.
– Scientific channelisation of the Chikad Nala from Nagchala to Forlane, along with an effective drainage system.
Reopening of closed and de-notified institutions
The BJP delegation demanded the reopening of several institutions that have been closed or de-notified. These include:
1. Veterinary Dispensary, Siyohli
2. Veterinary Dispensary, Durgapur
3. Electricity Department Division, Nerchowk
4. ITI Rewalsar
5. Police Station Rewalsar
6. Other public-use institutions that have been closed.
The memorandum maintained that these institutions are important for residents and should be restored in the public interest.
Restoration of irrigation and drinking water schemes
The delegation also highlighted problems with irrigation and drinking water infrastructure.
It demanded immediate repair and restoration of the Left Bank Irrigation Scheme and Right Bank Irrigation Scheme, stating that damage at several locations has deprived farmers of adequate irrigation water.
For drinking water, the memorandum specifically sought improvements to the:
– Sakroha–Naina Mata Temple drinking water scheme
– Taroh–Pipli drinking water scheme
The delegation called for adequate water supply and repair of damaged infrastructure under these schemes.
Completion of incomplete government buildings
The memorandum sought the completion of several government buildings and institutional projects that have remained unfinished.
It stated that around 90 per cent of the Chief Minister Lok Bhawan at Leda has reportedly been completed, but construction has subsequently been stopped. The delegation demanded that the remaining work be completed quickly and the facility handed over for public use.
The delegation also demanded time-bound completion of the ITI Gagal, where construction is reportedly progressing very slowly.
Another major demand concerned the Pashu PGI building at Nerchowk, which, according to the memorandum, is around 60 per cent complete but has remained stalled for several years. The delegation called for construction to be resumed immediately.
Restoration of discontinued HRTC bus services
The MLA also sought restoration of several Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus services that have reportedly been discontinued, citing the difficulties faced by residents of Balh and surrounding areas.
The memorandum listed the following services:
1. Rewalsar–Chandigarh
2. Rampur–Rewalsar, with the service restored up to Rewalsar Bus Stand
3. Reckong Peo–Mandi–Dharampur via Rewalsar
4. Sundernagar–Dharampur
5. Mandi–Chandigarh–Haridwar via Gagal
6. Mandi–Kamlah via Rewalsar
The delegation said restoration of these routes would significantly improve connectivity for residents, students, workers and other commuters.
Protection of Bhangrotu playground
Another significant demand was to protect the playground at Bhangrotu as a permanent sports ground.
The memorandum described the ground as the main sports facility available to children and youth in the Balh area. During the COVID-19 period, a COVID centre had been established there. The delegation expressed concern over the reported process of transferring the land to Medical College Nerchowk.
It urged the authorities to ensure that the land remains permanently reserved as a playground so that sports facilities for local children and youth are not lost.
Roads in poor condition
The memorandum listed a large number of roads requiring immediate construction, repair or upgrading.
Among the major demands were:
– Completion of the long-pending Nerchowk–Kalhar road being constructed under MLA priority works.
– Immediate repair of the Bagla–Badsu–Kathlag road, which has reportedly been badly damaged due to heavy vehicle movement.
– Improvement of the Baihna–Gagal–Nalsar road, where potholes have developed at several locations.
– Resumption of construction of the Chadhidhar–Marwari Mata Temple road for the convenience of devotees.
– Repair of the Ratti–Malthehad–Pipli road, which is reportedly badly damaged at several points.
– Improvement of the Sakroha–Naina Mata Temple road.
– Immediate repair and safety measures on the Kummi–Tanwa–Kansa road, where large potholes and an incomplete approximately 30-metre stretch have reportedly created a serious hazard for schoolchildren, pedestrians and motorists.
– Repair of the Ratti–Taroh–Manduru–Pipli road.
– Immediate improvement of the Rewalsar–Doh–Naina Devi road.
– Repair and upgrading of the Kapahi–Leda road.
– Improvement of the Sidhyani–Bhaot Khuddi–Gurukotha road, including proper drainage arrangements.
The memorandum stressed that the poor condition of these roads is causing considerable inconvenience to residents and increasing the risk of accidents.
Demand for fair administration and protection of democratic norms
The delegation also raised issues concerning what it described as the need to protect democratic norms and ensure impartial administration.
It sought appropriate legal action in incidents involving alleged manhandling of elected representatives and MLAs.
The memorandum further demanded that there should be no political discrimination in the selection of beneficiaries under forest, agriculture and development schemes and that all eligible farmers should receive equal opportunities.
It also called for appropriate disciplinary action against officials if political bias in administration is found to have occurred.
Appeal for time-bound action
Concluding the memorandum, MLA Inder Singh Gandhi and the BJP mandal presidents urged the Governor to take the demands seriously and issue necessary directions to the concerned departments.
They said timely intervention on these issues would provide relief to residents of the Balh Assembly constituency and accelerate development in the area.
