Landslip blocks Kullu-Manali national highway

Our Correspondent

Kullu, August 17

The Kullu-Manali national highway remained blocked for over two hours following a landslide in the Ramshila area, 4 km from here, on Friday. The road was blocked around 10 am. A few vehicles crossed the nearby Gammon bridge, while the others went back through Raison. 

Long queues of vehicles at Ramshila led to a traffic jam. Long-route buses were also delayed and the road was opened around 12 pm.

The NHAI is cutting hills along the road to broaden the highway due to which the soil has become loose. Abhishek Rai, president, Himalayan Environment Conservation Organisation (HECO), an NGO, said many trees had been axed due to the widening of the road between Kullu and Manali. 

He alleged that the companies executing the work were excavating the sides of the hills, which was resulting in frequent landslides due to fragile ecology of the area.

Frequent landslides were witnessed on the Kullu-Manali road after the widening work. He added that many houses at Devdhar village adjoining Kullu, had been damaged. The NHAI was flouting norms and dumping muck in the Beas.

Commuters between Kullu and Manali said there were a lot of risky points where no caution signboards had been put up. Shyam, an elderly, said the road should be four-laned to ease congestion.