PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh Reviews Fire Tragedy Damage in Jhanyiar Village of Kullu.
Assures full government support; announces road connectivity and water tank for the affected area.
Shimla:
Himachal Pradesh Public Works and Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh personally visited Jhanyiar village in Nohanda Panchayat under the Banjar subdivision of Kullu district on Tuesday to assess the extensive damage caused by a massive fire incident on Monday. The minister met the affected families, expressed condolences, and assured them of all possible assistance from the state government.
Chief Minister’s Directive and Relief Efforts
Minister Singh conveyed that Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had personally directed him to visit the site, assess the situation, and expedite relief and rehabilitation measures. “The government stands firmly with every affected family in this hour of crisis,” he said, adding that aid would be provided on the same lines as that extended to the residents of Tandi village, which had suffered a similar tragedy earlier.
According to preliminary reports, 16 houses, including two temples and four cowsheds, were completely destroyed in the fire. The district administration immediately launched relief operations and distributed essential supplies along with interim financial assistance to the affected households.
Preserving Traditional Villages and Promoting Insurance
Calling Jhanyiar “a historically rich village with traditional architecture,” Singh emphasized the importance of preserving old settlements in the state. He urged villagers to insure their homes to safeguard against future disasters. “The government will also encourage people to opt for insurance, especially in fire-prone areas,” he said.
He also advised residents to keep their surroundings free from dry grass or flammable materials to prevent accidental fires.
Road Connectivity and Infrastructure Announcements
Minister Singh pointed out that the lack of a motorable road to Jhanyiar village had delayed relief efforts and increased the extent of the loss. He explained that although the village had been proposed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) – Phase IV, it was excluded due to lower population density. However, he assured villagers that the government would now ensure road connectivity for Jhanyiar.
He also directed the district administration to construct a new water tank in the village and to submit a detailed damage assessment report at the earliest.
Support for Temple Reconstruction and Relief Distribution
Expressing deep sorrow over the loss of temples in the blaze, Singh said, “We are a people who deeply value our Dev culture, and the burning of temples is a profound loss. The government and the local administration will extend full support for their reconstruction.”
He announced Rs. 3 lakh in assistance from the Raja Virbhadra Foundation Trust and distributed relief material to the affected families on the spot.
Rs. 142 Crore Sanctioned for 20 Rural Roads in Banjar Subdivision
Minister Vikramaditya Singh announced that Himachal Pradesh has received Rs. 2,300 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) – Phase IV to strengthen and expand rural road networks across the state.
Under this scheme, Rs. 142 crore has been sanctioned for the construction and upgradation of 20 roads in the Banjar subdivision. Singh said the improved connectivity will significantly enhance tourism, agriculture, and local livelihoods.
In addition, Rs. 24 crore has been approved under the Post Disaster Need Assessment (PDNA) framework for the reconstruction of damaged roads in the Banjar area, which suffered the most during this year’s monsoon season.
He also announced Rs. 2 crore for the construction of a bridge at Tarehra in the Sainj area, fulfilling a long-pending demand of the local residents.
“The government will ensure that all allocated funds are used efficiently and transparently,” Singh emphasized. “I will personally visit project sites to monitor the quality of construction work. Our goal is to strengthen rural connectivity and ensure that development schemes directly benefit the people.”
