Admn cautions tourists on Manali highway

Dipender Manta

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Tribune News Service

Mandi, June 15

In the wake of intermittent spells of rain, the Mandi district administration has issued an advisory urging people, especially tourists, to take precautions while using the Chandigarh-Manali NH-21 between Mandi and Kullu. The stretch on the Pandoh dam-Kullu-Bhunter route is prone to landslides owing to the ongoing four-laning work.

According to information, a landslide triggered by heavy rain damaged a vehicle near Hanogi on Thursday. The passengers, all tourists, escaped unhurt. However, the national highway remained blocked for several hours, leading to a long traffic jam. Only one-way traffic was allowed on the route till 7 pm.

Sources said the district administration was mulling using an alternate route via Katola between Mandi and Kullu to ease traffic congestion in such a situation.

Mandi SP Gurdev Chand Sharma said tourists were advised to be careful while using this route, especially during rain. "A police team has been deployed near the Hanogi Temple to assist commuters in case of any emergency" he added.