# 500-Metre Box Tunnel Worth Rs 200 Crore Underway At Thalaut On Kiratpur-Manali Corridor > Construction has commenced on Himachal Pradesh's first 500-metre box tunnel at Thalaut on the Kiratpur-Manali four-lane highway, costing Rs 200 crore. Replacing a transit structure destroyed during the 2023 disaster, the project also carries an approved compensation package of Rs 20 crore for affected residents. **Type:** article · **Category:** Himachal Pradesh · **Published:** 2026-09-30 · **Source:** TrendKia **Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/himachal-pradesh/mandi-ke-thalaut-men-200-karora-se-taiyara-hogi-500-mitara-ki-boksa-tanala-kiratpur-manali-marga-para-saphara-banega-asana-40462 · **Language:** English **Tags:** Kiratpur Manali Fourlane, Box Tunnel, Mandi Thalaut, NHAI, Varun Chari, Himachal Pradesh Highway, Aut Tunnel Infrastructure development along the Kiratpur-Manali corridor has reached a major milestone with the launch of construction on Himachal Pradesh's first box tunnel at Thalaut in Mandi district. The ambitious engineering project carries an estimated capital outlay of Rs 200 crore. According to Varun Chari, Project Director at the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), traffic movement through Thalaut and Aut market areas was originally routed via cut-and-cover structures. ## Engineering Redesign Following Natural Calamity Severe rainfall and landslides during the 2023 natural disaster caused extensive devastation along the corridor, completely destroying the operational cut-and-cover transit passage near Thalaut market. The structural collapse prompted highway planners to re-evaluate the terrain's safety requirements and devise a far more resilient long-term alternative. Following comprehensive technical assessments, NHAI submitted a formal proposal for a reinforced box tunnel, which secured central government approval before ground operations commenced. ## Square Profile And Modular Block Construction While cut-and-cover tunnels and box tunnels share similar functional roles in shielding mountain traffic, they differ fundamentally in design geometry. The box tunnel is engineered with an exact square structural profile, offering greater structural stability against debris. Spanning a total length of 500 metres, this artificial tunnel is being assembled using modular engineering blocks. NHAI has mandated a tight construction timeline, setting a completion target of one year for the entire project. ## Traffic Reorganisation And Opening Of Aut Tunnel Once operational, the box tunnel will anchor a restructured vehicular movement plan for the entire highway segment. All outbound traffic heading toward Kullu and Manali will be routed exclusively through this newly erected 500-metre structure. Conversely, return traffic coming down the valley will continue passing through the legacy tunnel at Aut. Crucially, project management noted that operationalising this new box tunnel remains the essential prerequisite for opening the newly constructed tunnel at Aut to public traffic. ## Compensation Package Disbursed Under Court Directives The devastation of 2023 extended beyond the highway perimeter, severely damaging adjacent residential houses in the vicinity of Thalaut market. Following detailed loss evaluations, NHAI sanctioned a relief and compensation package of Rs 20 crore for impacted residents. From this allocation, Rs 12 crore has already been transferred to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Bali Chowki for systematic distribution to eligible claimants. Concurrently, the High Court issued directives expediting the commencement of repair works, ordering local administrative authorities to extend comprehensive cooperation to NHAI on all safety fronts. ## Halving Travel Duration Between Chandigarh And Manali The broader Kiratpur to Manali four-lane highway initiative has already dramatically transformed connectivity to the hill state, despite minor unfinished sections still undergoing work. Motorists travelling between Chandigarh and Manali, who previously spent between 8 and 9 arduous hours on the road, now complete the trip in just 4 to 5 hours on the functional stretches. Completion of the remaining segments, including the Thalaut box tunnel, will shave off further travel time and secure year-round resilience. ## What this means for you The construction of Himachal Pradesh's first box tunnel at Thalaut directly bolsters transit safety and drastically cuts down journey times along the Kiratpur-Manali route. - **Across India:** Travellers commuting from northern hubs such as Chandigarh to tourist centres in Kullu and Manali now experience travel times halved from previous standards. Once fully commissioned, the route will provide visitors a far more reliable highway less prone to monsoon shutdowns. - **In Himachal Pradesh:** Residents and commuters in Mandi district will gain resilient bypass infrastructure through vulnerable terrain around Thalaut and Aut. Furthermore, displaced and affected families in the area are receiving direct monetary relief under an approved Rs 20 crore allocation. - **Transit Duration:** Road transit times between Chandigarh and Manali have already declined from 8-9 hours down to 4-5 hours. The addition of the 500-metre box tunnel will further reduce bottlenecks on the remaining unfinished stretches. - **Local Administration:** A direct administrative transfer of Rs 12 crore has been placed with the Bali Chowki SDM to expedite relief distribution. Local authorities have also stepped up site coordination with NHAI to maintain structural safety throughout construction. ## Why this happened The project was necessitated by the severe destruction of the existing cut-and-cover highway passage during the catastrophic weather events of 2023. Conventional highway structures proved vulnerable to mountain debris, forcing planners to build a heavy-duty, reinforced bypass. - **Severe 2023 Disaster Damage:** Heavy flooding and debris completely wiped out the cut-and-cover transit passage previously operational at Thalaut market. The surrounding residential properties also sustained severe structural hits during the event. - **Need for Superior Engineering Resilience:** While conventional passages remain prone to collapses, a dedicated square-profile box tunnel constructed with modular blocks offers superior load resistance against mountain landslips. NHAI consequently designed this 500-metre alternative to secure the passage permanently. - **Government Sanctions and Judicial Orders:** Following central government sanction for the Rs 200 crore redesign, the High Court directed immediate execution of construction works, ordering local administration to resolve security and operational roadblocks. ## Questions & Answers ### 1. What is the length and budget of the upcoming box tunnel at Thalaut? The box tunnel spans 500 metres in length and is being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 200 crore. ### 2. Which district is this new tunnel project located in? It is located at Thalaut in Mandi district along the Kiratpur-Manali four-lane highway in Himachal Pradesh. ### 3. How does a box tunnel differ from a traditional cut-and-cover passage? While both serve similar protective transit roles, the box tunnel features an exact square profile and is erected using modular pre-cast blocks. ### 4. How will traffic be routed once the box tunnel is operational? All outbound traffic bound for Kullu and Manali will pass through the box tunnel, while return traffic will use the old Aut tunnel. ### 5. How much financial compensation has been sanctioned for local affected families? A compensation package of Rs 20 crore has been sanctioned, with Rs 12 crore already deposited with the Bali Chowki SDM for distribution. ### 6. By how much has travel duration between Chandigarh and Manali decreased? Travel time between Chandigarh and Manali has dropped from 8-9 hours down to approximately 4-5 hours. --- _TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. Machine-readable view; canonical HTML at the URL above._