Damaged highway strangles tourism, agriculture sectors alike

Once hailed as a game-changer for Himachal Pradesh’s tourism and agriculture sectors, the Kiratpur-Manali National Highway has now become a major point of distress for stakeholders across the region. The stretch between Mandi and Kullu, a critical segment of the highway, lies battered and unstable, crippled by recurrent landslides and flooding, particularly during the monsoon season, bringing travel and transport to a near standstill.

The four-lane highway, which was constructed with the vision of providing smooth vehicular movement from Chandigarh to Manali, was expected to be a lifeline for the tourism industry of Kullu-Manali and Lahaul-Spiti, and a vital route for farmers to transport their perishable horticultural and agricultural produce to distant markets. Initially, the project delivered on its promise. Tourists flocked in larger numbers and farmers reported improved access to markets, higher prices and reduced spoilage.

However, the picture changed dramatically in 2023 when devastating monsoon rains triggered a flood in the Beas river, inflicting massive damage on the highway between Mandi and Kullu. Large portions of the road were either washed away or severely damaged due to landslides, which were further exacerbated by deep hillside cutting and unstable strata created during construction.

Since then, the highway has remained a troubled corridor, especially during the monsoons. Tourists face hours-long traffic snarls or are forced to cancel trips altogether, impacting local businesses and hospitality operators. For farmers, the losses are even more severe — truckloads of fruits and vegetables rot in transit as vehicles get stranded for days in landslide-hit zones.

“The highway has become unpredictable. During rainy season, we witness huge cancellations due to road closures. Our livelihoods depend on tourist arrivals,” said Anup Thakur, former president of hoteliers association Manali. “Every time it rains heavily, the road either gets blocked or becomes dangerous to travel. We are at the mercy of the weather.”

Farmers from the Kullu valley and Lahaul-Spiti are equally anguished. Apple and vegetable growers, in particular, have suffered substantial losses over the last two years. “Our produce has a short shelf life. Delays mean we get lower prices or lose the entire crop. We are under constant stress,” said Mohan Lal Relingpa, a vegetable grower from Lahaul.

Despite the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) making continued efforts to restore the road, the problems persist. Officials admit that the terrain itself is now a challenge. The road strech between Mandi and Kullu has become prone to landslides. Finding a permanent solution is proving extremely difficult.

Stakeholders across the region are calling for a long-term solution. Many suggest constructing protective galleries or tunnels in the most landslide-prone stretches.

Until then, the dream of a seamless Kiratpur-Manali highway remains just that — a dream — and the promise it once held for Himachal’s tourism and farming economy hangs in the balance.