While Himachal Pradesh government and environmentalists are trying to pinpoint reasons for huge losses reported from monsoon devastation triggered by cloud bursts and flash floods during the last three years, the massive damage to Dharampur bus stand in Mandi district on September 15, has once again started a debate over construction of government buildings near seasonal khads.
Himachal Road Transport Corporation’s (HRTC) Dharampur bus stand constructed near Sone Khad has suffered immense damages for the third time since its inauguration, 13 years back in 2012.
The bus stand was inundated in 2015 , 2023 and now on September 15, 2025, the losses this year have been estimated over ten crores as twenty buses have submerged in deep water, besides damage to shops and bus stand.”
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri after visiting the spot said, “As many as 20 HRTC buses have been damaged and a loss of nearly Rs 10 crore has been estimated.”
Since the bus stand was constructed on the banks of Sone Khad, objections over its location were raised when the project was proposed by local MLA and then Transport Minister Mahinder Singh Thakur in 2009.
When the bus stand was being constructed, objections were raised by CPM leaders and a few environmentalists over its location.
Former Zila Parishad member and CPM leader Bhupinder Singh said, “As per RTI information the land was mentioned as gair mumkin khad (forest land) in the revenue record; losses of several crores have been reported in recent years to government and private property.”
He said, “ The objections raised by us have been confirmed by the recent losses and CPM is of firm opinion the bus stand should be shifted to some other place to save it from further damage.”
Dharampur MLA Chander Shekhar said, “The bus stand area used to have several gharats (water mills) in the past, it was in 2015 when the bus stand and several buses were submerged in flood water after which then CM Virbhadra Singh had ordered an inquiry.”
He said, “Shifting of the bus stand is quite difficult as huge public money has been spent for its construction; moreover its abrupt closure lead to public inconvenience ; Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri has ordered to constitute an expert committee for seeking various suggestions to save it from further damage from floods and I would place my suggestions in the committee , “he added.
