Revamp underway on Kullu-Manali NH-03 to boost safety, connectivity

The two-lane, 37-km-long Kullu-Manali National Highway (NH-03) is undergoing a major overhaul to improve road conditions and ensure safer, smoother travel. The Rs 20.97 crore project, currently in progress, aims to strengthen connectivity between Kullu and Manali, particularly in flood-prone and damaged areas.

Key work includes tarring 8.5 km of deteriorated sections and crack sealing another 13 km. The project began at Gammon Bridge, Ramshila, where bituminous concrete work is underway. Alongside resurfacing, vital infrastructure such as drains, breast walls, and R walls are being constructed to boost the highway’s long-term stability. PCC drains are also being rapidly laid at multiple locations.

To improve traffic safety, the project includes installing signboards, speed breakers, and protective walls. These enhancements are expected to promote tourism, improve commute safety, and ensure smoother travel for both residents and visitors.

With the monsoon season approaching, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has deployed additional machinery—JCBs, tippers, crate wire, and excavation equipment—to avoid work delays and ensure labor safety. Moreover, an additional Rs 7.33 crore has been proposed for tarring an extra 4.5 km stretch, pending approval.

NHAI Resident Engineer Ashok Chauhan confirmed the central government’s allocation of Rs 20.97 crore for the upgrade and said the team is working round the clock to finish as much work as possible before the monsoons intensify.

The highway has suffered serious damage from flooding in the Beas River during the 2023 and 2024 monsoons. Several sections were washed away, and even after temporary repairs, some stretches remain limited to one-way traffic, causing congestion and raising accident risks.

In response, NHAI is developing a long-term plan to shield the highway from future flood damage and enhance resilience. Meanwhile, local residents are demanding a four-lane expansion, citing increasing traffic. One resident, Sanjay, expressed disappointment that while land was acquired for four-laning, only two lanes were developed. He called the highway a “death trap,” reflecting community concerns over rising accidents.

Locals continue to urge modernisation of NH-03 to meet future traffic demands and ensure safer, efficient travel for the next two decades.