Chandra Mohan Sharma restores 30 rural roads at his own expense

Munish Sood
MANDI:
In the wake of relentless rainfall and landslides that disrupted life in Sarkaghat, one individual stepped up to tackle the challenge of restoring connectivity to remote villages.

Chandra Mohan Sharma, a zila parishad member from Thauna Ward and a prominent philanthropist, has earned the nickname “Bulldozer Son” from locals for his unwavering commitment to relief efforts.

While the local administration struggled to reopen affected routes, Sharma took it upon himself to fund the restoration of nearly 30 rural roads in the area. Over the course of two months, he deployed five JCB machines to ensure that villages cut off by landslides regained access to essential services like hospitals, schools, and markets.

Through Sharma’s private initiative, numerous roads in the panchayats of Gehra, Tikker, Pingla, Bhadrwad, Chhalog, Gahar, Gaunta, Samsouh, Bharnal, and Khalard were reopened. Key routes such as Gehra-Kufru Dwarog, Janihaun-Damahir, Jalpa Mata Temple-Langas, Tikker-Sadoh, and Durgapur-Kothi were restored, providing immediate relief to thousands who had been isolated.

“When no help arrived, we turned to Chandra Mohan Sharma,” a villager recounted. “Within hours, his JCBs were clearing our roads. He didn’t ask for anything — he just acted. Today, people proudly call him the Bulldozer Beta of Sarkaghat.”

Sharma is known for prioritizing service over politics, extending his assistance beyond his constituency. During a recent disaster in Seraj, the home area of former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, he sent relief supplies and JCB machines at his own expense to help reopen blocked roads and support affected families.

This humanitarian spirit is not new for Sharma. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he chartered a special flight to repatriate stranded Indian workers from Saudi Arabia and arranged dignified cremations for those who passed away abroad.

A self-made entrepreneur with business interests in the United States and the Gulf, Sharma operates a chain of hotels and transport companies. Remarkably, he donates nearly 80% of his earnings to community welfare. Coming from a modest background, he attributes his inspiration to his father's teachings and the values of selfless service.

In a year marked by severe monsoon devastation in Himachal Pradesh, Chandra Mohan Sharma’s bulldozers did more than just clear roads; they alleviated despair. For many in Sarkaghat, his efforts serve as a powerful reminder that true leadership emerges when bureaucratic obstacles are set aside.

As local resident Ritesh Chauhan expressed, “When the hills collapsed, it wasn’t the government that came first but our Bulldozer Son.”