Ahead of peak season, tourism industry raises alarm over bad roads to Mcleodganj

As temperatures soar in the plains, tourist inflow to the hills is beginning to rise, with Dharamsala gearing up for what could be a busy summer season spanning April to June. However, the poor condition of roads leading to McLeodganj has emerged as a major concern for the local tourism industry.

Ashwani Bamba, president of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Kangra district, told The Tribune that the two main roads from Dharamsala to McLeodganj — the Dharamsala-McLeodganj road maintained by the National Highways Department and the Khara Danda road maintained by the state PWD — are in dire condition. “Both roads are sinking in several places and remain in an unpaved, unsafe state. Despite repeated appeals to the authorities concerned, no substantial repairs have been carried out,” he said.

Sanjeev Gandhi, general secretary of the Smart City Dharamsala Hotel and Restaurant Association, added that the city is set to host three IPL matches in May, further increasing traffic on these already stressed routes. “We’ve raised the issue with the Kangra district administration, warning that the current road conditions could lead to massive traffic jams during the IPL events. The administration has assured us that a meeting will be arranged with the National Highways Department and the state PWD to address the issue,” he said.

Though the Dharamsala-McLeodganj road was upgraded and resurfaced in 2023, it has deteriorated rapidly, with several stretches now riddled with deep pits and sunken patches, making it fit only for one-way traffic in some places.

A significant investment of Rs 42 crore was made in upgrading the Gaggal-McLeodganj road. However, locals claim that the condition of the road remains abysmal, questioning the quality of the construction. Reportedly, the National Highways Department has withheld Rs 17 crore in payments to the contractor due to the substandard work and has submitted a proposal to the Union Ministry of Road Transport for addressing the recurring issue of road sinking. So far, no funds have been released.

Despite the government’s vision of developing Kangra as the tourism capital of Himachal Pradesh, stakeholders say the current state of infrastructure tells a different story. Both key routes to McLeodganj — a prominent tourist hub and home to the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama — are in disrepair, deterring tourists and disrupting livelihoods.

Local hoteliers and residents have voiced their concerns repeatedly, citing frequent traffic snarls during peak tourist seasons due to the poor roads. Many tourists, frustrated by the near-permanent traffic congestion, have begun avoiding the region altogether — a trend that has severely impacted the tourism-driven economy of the area.

Himachal Tribune