At the International Kullu Dussehra 2026, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced a trio of infrastructure upgrades for the Kullu valley — ₹22 crore for a sewerage system in Bhuntar, ₹5 crore for the Manikaran road, and a new electricity sub-division in Bhuntar — promising cleaner streets, better roads, and more reliable power for a region that handles some of Himachal Pradesh's heaviest tourist and pilgrim traffic.

₹22 Crore Sewerage Push for Bhuntar

Bhuntar, the gateway town that hosts the Kullu-Manali Airport and funnels visitors into the Parvati and Beas valleys, has long lacked an adequate sewerage network. CM Sukhu's announcement of ₹22 crore for a new sewerage system directly targets that gap. The investment is aimed at improving sanitation standards in a town that sees footfall surge during every festival season and peak tourist period.

Sewerage infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh's high-footfall zones has been a recurring line item in state budgets, but on-the-ground progress in smaller towns like Bhuntar has historically lagged behind more prominent hill stations. The scale of this single-project allocation signals a sharper focus on civic basics in the Kullu valley.

₹5 Crore for the Manikaran Road

The Manikaran road connects Bhuntar to the sacred Manikaran pilgrimage centre — famous for its hot springs, the revered Manikaran Sahib Gurudwara, and a cluster of Hindu temples that draw devotees year-round. An allocation of ₹5 crore for road improvement on this stretch means a safer, smoother journey for pilgrims and tourists who currently navigate a narrow, often-damaged mountain road.

Road quality on the Kullu-Manikaran corridor has been a persistent grievance. Even modest improvements on a high-gradient mountain road translate directly into reduced travel times, fewer accidents, and better access for emergency services — concrete gains for a route that is essentially non-negotiable for anyone visiting the valley's spiritual heart.

A New Electricity Sub-Division for Bhuntar

Alongside the road and sanitation outlays, CM Sukhu announced the opening of a dedicated electricity sub-division in Bhuntar. A sub-division office brings power-related grievance redressal and technical services closer to local residents and business owners, cutting down the delays that come when every complaint must travel up to a busier divisional office. For a town whose economy runs on tourism-linked commerce and hospitality, reliable electricity is not a luxury — it is the operating condition.

The timing of the announcement — at the marquee International Kullu Dussehra festival, one of Himachal Pradesh's most-watched cultural events — gives these commitments a public stage and a built-in accountability moment. Dussehra crowds are a live reminder of exactly why the infrastructure is needed.

Three projects, one festival, one message: the Kullu valley's civic backbone is getting a meaningful upgrade — and the clock on delivery has started in front of thousands of witnesses.