3 min readShimlaFeb 8, 2026 01:08 PM IST
First published on: Feb 8, 2026 at 01:08 PM IST
The 75-year-old patient suffering from multiple ailments who had to be carried on shoulders in a makeshift palanquin to a medical facility is admitted to Shimla’s Indira Gandhi Medical College & Hospital (IGMCH) and is in a critical condition, doctors said.
Dr Balbir Verma, Head of the Department of Medicine, IGMCH Shimla, told The Indian Express, “Shiv Lal is in critical condition with multiple ailments. His heart is not pumping properly; his lungs are probably not functioning well. His blood pressure is very low. Medical reports also suggest kidney failure. If the patient does not show signs of improvement, we will have to shift him onto a ventilator… We are making our best efforts.”
Shiv Lal’s nephew Krishan Thakur said, “His medical reports suggest more than 80 per cent blockage in his heart along with low blood pressure. Doctors have also told us that he has been hit by a severe cold. He has been unconscious since being admitted to IGMC Shimla. He is on a complete liquid diet.”
Krishan, son of Shiv Lal’s younger brother, told The Indian Express, “If the link road had been cleared, we are sure Shiv Lal ji could have been in better health.”
Shiv Lal’s relatives along with others from the village walked around 7km on hilly terrains in around 3-feet deep snow loading the makeshift palanquin on their shoulders on Thursday.
“On Thursday, after reaching Bada Gushaini, we rushed Shiv Lal to the Government Hospital, Kullu, from where doctors referred him to Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College & Hospital, Nerchowk, in Mandi. Due to his critical condition, doctors at Nerchowk also referred him to IGMC Shimla. We reached IGMC Shimla around 2.00 AM on Friday,” he said.
Krishan also claimed that they had contacted all concerned officials urging them to clear the snow-laden link road, but no action was taken.
Shiv Lal has two elder brothers, a younger brother and three sisters who are married. At IGMC Shimla, he is being looked after by Krishan and two other relatives including his cousin Suresh Thakur.
PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh acknowledged the problems caused by the link roads blockage and said he will ensure that all roads are soon. Vikramaditya told The Indian Express, “I issued instructions to the concerned HPPWD officials of Balchowki area (Mandi) to clear all the link roads. I will personally take feedback.”The Challai village under Balchowki subdivision falls under Seraj constituency being represented by the ex-CM and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Jai Ram Thakur.
PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh on Saturday acknowledged the disruption caused by blocked link roads and said directions had been issued to ensure early clearance. (File photo) 
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