Landslips on Manali highway add to commuters’ woes

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, August 25

Frequent landslides on the Manali-Leh highway for the past few days are adding to commuters misery. Tourists are being stuck in long traffic jams. Many have been forced to spend sleepless nights inside vehicles in the region.

The worst point is Banta Mod beyond Marhi towards Rohtang where the Border Roads Organisation has restored the road thrice since Monday. The area is prone to landslide, which requires widening of the road.

A massive landslide was reported again on Wednesday night, blocking traffic between Manali and Rohtang. A large number of vehicles were stuck the whole night. A majority of people had to spend night inside their vehicles without having food. Those travelling with children were the worst sufferer.

Agriculture Minister Ram Lal Markanda also took strict note of the situation and asked the Kullu administration to widen the road immediately.

Manali SDM Amit Guleria said, “The road was restored in the morning and traffic jam had been cleared. We are planning to widen the road at Banta Mod.”