Post-landslide, partial traffic movement restored on Chandigarh-Manali highway

After a landslide near “Four Miles” led to a closure of the Chandigarh-Manali national highway for around 26 hours, the traffic movement was partially restored today.

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Though section between Mandi and Kullu is open for one-way traffic, the movement remains slow and regulated.

The landslide, triggered by torrential rain, brought traffic to a complete halt yesterday afternoon. Hundreds of vehicles, including buses, cars and trucks were stranded overnight, leaving commuters and tourists stuck with little access to basic facilities.

Truck drivers carrying vegetables from Lahaul to Delhi expressed concern over the delay. “We have been stuck here for more than 26 hours. The vegetables in our trucks are beginning to spoil. If they do not reach the Delhi market in time, it will be a huge financial loss for the farmers,” a driver said.

Adding to the chaos, three tourists who attempted to bypass the landslide zone by trekking through a nearby forest lost their way and had to be rescued. They contacted the police after becoming disoriented in the dense terrain. A rescue team from the Mandi Police safely recovered the tourists and urged others not to attempt such risky routes.

Efforts by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to clear the debris were significantly hampered on the first day due to continuous rainfall and unstable slopes. It was only early this morning that machinery could begin restoring access.

The Mandi Police advisory read, “Traffic has been partially restored at the Four Miles landslide site, with one-way traffic now being regulated. Movement is slow and caution is advised. Since this route is currently the only one open for heavy vehicles, congestion is expected.”

The advisory further recommended that light motor vehicles (LMVs) take alternate routes via Kamand–Kataula to reach Kullu and avoid unnecessary travel if possible.

As the authorities continue to remove debris to fully restore the highway for two-way traffic, travellers have been urged to stay updated through official channels and cooperate with traffic management teams on

the ground.