- By Chetna Shree
- Fri, 11 Jul 2025 03:38 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Himachal Pradesh: The Mata Banglamukhi Ropeway has been a crucial mode of transportation in the Pandoh area of the Mandi district, as several roads and bridges were swept away due to flash floods and cloudburst. The state government is providing a free ropeway transportation facility to people of all 12 panchayats of the Seraj Assembly constituency in Mandi district.
A resident of Saraj, Bhoop Singh, told ANI, "This ropeway has helped us a lot. If we did not have this, we would have been totally helpless. After this grave disaster, all our roads and paths have been washed away, restricting vehicular and foot movement. Bridges have also been washed away. It was because of Jairam Thakur that this ropeway was built, and it is helping us in these testing times. We use it to carry essentials and supplies on our backs. It's been a huge relief during this disaster.”
The Mata Banglamukhi Ropeway has become a crucial mode of transportation during the crisis. 5000 people used the service in the last few days, said Kush Vaidya, a resident manager of RTDC (Ropeways and Rapid Transport Corporation), told ANI.
The ropeway transportation facility was initially started for two panchayats, but later it was opened for people of all 12 panchayats of the Saraj Vidhan Sabha. Though the ropeway spans 750 metres, it helps to avoid a 12-kilometre detour due to damaged roads.
"Initially, it was free for two panchayats only, but now this is free for all residents of 12 panchayats of Saraj Vidhan Sabha, as Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri had visited here after the floods and asked us to make the service free of cost for one week. 5,000 people,” Kush Vaidya said.
The ropeway is providing crucial relief to the residents to transport essential supplies when all other roads and bridges are blocked. When the ropeway facility was not available, residents used to carry supplies on their backs.
Since the onset of monsoon in Himachal Pradesh, 91 people have lost their lives between June 20 and July 10, according to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). In the latest report, the SDMA noted that 55 deaths were directly attributed to the rain-related incidents, such as landslides, cloudbursts, flash floods, drowning and electrocution. Another 36 deaths were caused by road accidents triggered by adverse weather conditions.
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(With Agency Inputs)
