Landslides paralyse traffic on Kiratpur-Manali highway

It is dangerous to travel on the Kiratpur-Manali National Highway between Mandi and Kullu due to frequent landslides in the past three weeks. Key locations such as 4 Miles, 9 Miles, Kainchi Mod, Dwada and Jhalogi have witnessed recurring landslides, making this critical highway vulnerable during the ongoing monsoon season.

Recently, a landslide struck a vehicle though the travellers escaped unhurt. However, such incidents have underlined the growing risk to commuters. The highway is now open to only one-way traffic on key locations at 9 miles, Kainchi mod and Dwada. Adding to the woes, traffic congestion has become routine, leading to long travel hours and significant delays between Mandi and Kullu.

The district administration and police have been regularly issuing advisories urging the public to avoid non-essential travel on this route, particularly during rains. The stretch between Mandi and Aut has reportedly suffered considerable damage and restoration will take time.

This highway is not just a vital link for local travel; it serves as the economic lifeline for the tourism industry in Kullu-Manali and Lahaul-Spiti, and a key transportation route for agricultural and horticultural produce, particularly apples.

Farmers in Kullu and Manali and Lahaul and Spiti are growing anxious as the apple harvest season approaches. Manu Sharma, an orchardist from Manali, shared his concerns, “The poor condition of the highway is worrying for the farming community. With the apple crop ready for harvest, we rely heavily on this route to transport our produce to markets in Chandigarh and Delhi on time to fetch good prices.”

Similarly, tourism stakeholders in Manali have voiced frustration, stating that the poor road conditions are impacting tourist inflow, causing economic losses.

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) continues to work round-the-clock to keep the road operational despite the challenges posed by landslides. However, the persistent weather-related disruptions have made this an uphill task.

The authorities have urged travellers to stay updated with official advisories and avoid risky journeys, as efforts continue to restore normalcy on this crucial route.