Amid rain and landslide fears, Chamba races to prepare Manimahesh yatra route by August 9
Chamba, July 21,
With the Manimahesh Yatra 2025 scheduled to begin on August 16, the Chamba district administration has intensified efforts to ensure the 13-kilometre pilgrimage route from Hadsar to Manimahesh Dal Lake is fully ready—despite persistent heavy monsoon rains posing serious challenges.
Held annually between Janmashtami and Radhashtami in Bharmour sub-division, the high-altitude Yatra draws lakhs of devotees every year. However, the route, prone to landslides, flash floods, and narrow stretches, remains snowbound for most of the year, making the monsoon the only feasible window for repair and maintenance.
Following a field inspection on July 15, the Deputy Commissioner and Chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Chamba, found the pace of ongoing repair works to be unsatisfactory. All concerned departments have now been ordered to complete essential restoration and safety measures by August 9 to allow time for final inspection.
Key Infrastructure works underway
The Bharmour Division of the Public Works Department (HPPWD) has been directed to widen the trek path to at least three meters, improve unstable slopes, level the surface, and reinforce embankments and retaining walls. Special focus has been placed on the Tosh Ki Ghot stretch—known for its dangerous terrain—where a separate mule track to Dunali is under construction to decongest traffic and improve safety.
A new bridge over Manimahesh Nala at Dunali is also being built, and all existing foot bridges will undergo structural audits. Any deficiencies flagged during these audits must be rectified before the August 9 deadline. The Superintending Engineer, HPPWD Chamba, may mobilize manpower from other divisions to ensure timely completion.
Departments mobilized for core services
The Jal Shakti Department has been instructed to set up adequate drinking water points along the route, while Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) will install transformers and extend power lines up to Dhancho, including provisions for temporary power backups.
Medical camps with doctors, emergency medicines, and essential facilities will be established by the Health Department. The Manimahesh Trust, ADM Bharmour, and BDO Bharmour have been assigned to install mobile toilets and manage solid waste disposal.
In terms of communication, BSNL has been asked to install a mobile tower at Dhancho to ensure mobile connectivity during the pilgrimage.
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Emergency and crowd management measures
To manage the expected surge of devotees, the Revenue and Police departments, along with DDMA Chamba, will coordinate the setup of temporary relief camps, control rooms, and crowd control mechanisms.
The Additional District Magistrate and Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Bharmour have been tasked with daily inspections of the route and are required to submit progress reports. Officers may also be deputed through written orders for on-ground execution.
Officials have been clearly warned that no delay or halting of essential works will be tolerated without prior written approval. Violations will attract action under Sections 51, 55, and 56 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
Final deadline: August 9
The administration has set August 9 as the final deadline for all route preparations, infrastructure development, and basic service provisioning. The week leading to the Yatra’s commencement will be used for review, inspection, and readiness checks.
Despite weather-related uncertainties, the Chamba administration aims to ensure a safe, well-managed, and disaster-resilient pilgrimage experience for thousands of devotees expected to participate in the Manimahesh Yatra 2025.
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