Mysterious Malana village gets bus service

MANALI: Two weeks after The Times of India had highlighted livelihood crisis and transportation problems being faced by poor residents of Malana, Himachal Pradesh government has started bus service for its residents and a motorable road up to the village has also been approved.
A Himachal Road Transport Corporation bus was flagged off from Shorn-Aage to Dam Site-II below Malana village on Thursday evening.It was a happy moment for the 382 families of Malana village, who were otherwise spending up to Rs 1,200 to hire a taxi to reach the village from the nearby market at Jari village in case of an emergency. Residents, who usually complain of being overlooked by government, looked happy after a long time.
"Each person here is happy that a bus has finally reached close to our village and a road will soon touch our village. We took part in "bhoomi pujan" for the road and welcomed this move of the government," said Paras Ram, one of the few educated villagers. Some children from Malana are getting education in Kullu town, who face problem in returning home. Those who cannot afford hostel facility in the town or high travelling expenses prefer not to educate their children. Now villagers believe road connectivity will bring about a change in their lives. Another resident Khub Ram said, "Bus service at their doorstep will motivate people to send their children to schools and colleges. It will also boost tourism in the area."
Local MP Pratibha Singh also directed Malana Hydel Project officials to widen the road between Shorn-Aage and Dam Site-II and protect it by parapets. Another happy moment for Malana residents arose when Singh on Thursday evening announced to take back all FIRs registered against Malana villagers.