NHAI Reviews Restoration Works on Flood-Hit Kiratpur-Pandoh-Kullu-Manali Corridor

Following the recent severe floods in Mandi, cloudbursts, and flash floods in Kullu district that caused extensive damage to the Kiratpur-Pandoh-Kullu-Manali corridor, NHAI Chairman Shri Santosh Kumar Yadav held a review meeting with senior officials from NHAI Headquarters and the Regional Office, Shimla.

The review focused on immediate restoration and improvement works on NH-21 in Himachal Pradesh. On the Kullu-Manali stretch, 10 locations have been completely washed away and 5 locations partially damaged due to the torrential rains, disrupting connectivity to the tourist town of Manali.

As the alternate road maintained by Himachal Pradesh PWD has also suffered damages, currently only light vehicles are being diverted through it. To ensure connectivity, NHAI has decided to provide financial support to HP PWD for the urgent restoration and maintenance of this road, which is now carrying National Highway traffic.

Keeping in view the inaccessibility, temporary restoration measures will be undertaken by NHAI to provide immediate restoration of connectivity. For this purpose, adequate funds have been sanctioned to NHAI Regional Office, Shimla for undertaking immediate emergent works. Also, the maintenance contractor available at site has been mobilized by NHAI, and temporary restoration of the highway section is being carried out on war footing.

In addition, permanent restoration of other locations that have been damaged by rains/floods on the Kiratpur- Pandoh-Manali section will be undertaken. A detailed project report for the permanent restoration is in progress. Various options for permanent restoration are being explored which inter alia include construction of tunnels, elevated structures and slope stabilization. For short term rectification a sum of around Rs.100 crores has been sanctioned by NHAI. Measures are also being taken for long-term solutions of these stretches.

Severe torrent rains, floods and cloud bursts have caused damage to National Highways in hilly regions, disrupting transportation and affecting local communities. NHAI is actively working on restoration and safety measures to ensure quick recovery and minimize further impact on travel and commerce in these vulnerable areas.