Commuters heading toward the popular Himachal Pradesh destinations of Dharamshala, Kangra, and McLeodganj have received a major travel upgrade following the operational rollout of a critical road link. The National Highways Authority of India has opened the newly constructed Kangra bypass on the Bhangbar-Kangra stretch of NH-503 for vehicular movement on a trial basis, effective November 1. Traffic commenced immediately after civil works concluded on a 155-metre bridge spanning the Riyund Khadd, significantly trimming driving durations across the hilly corridor.
Shorter Distance and Relief from Urban Congestion
Measuring approximately 4.5 kilometres from the Chamela area, the newly opened bypass allows long-distance vehicles to skirt the congested town centre of Kangra entirely. Motorists previously had to navigate an 8-kilometre route through narrow city streets, but this new alignment directly brings the commuting distance down to 4.5 kilometres. By taking through-traffic away from internal city roads, the route is set to alleviate the persistent gridlock that regularly paralyzes Kangra during busy tourist seasons, benefiting regional commuters and vacationers alike.
Advanced Engineering with Twin-Tube Tunnel and Viaducts
The newly opened section features sophisticated engineering designed to traverse difficult mountainous terrain safely and swiftly. Its infrastructure includes a 593-metre twin-tube tunnel, three major bridge crossings with an aggregate length of roughly 477 metres, a 160-metre standalone viaduct, and a 455-metre railway overbridge-cum-viaduct. Together, these structures bypass complex ground contours to maintain higher travel speeds and seamless vehicular movement.
Faster Links to Nadaun and Hamirpur Ahead of Next Bridge Opening
With the bypass active, the drive from Kangra to Nadaun now takes just 35 minutes, while the journey to Hamirpur can be completed in around 60 minutes. Connectivity across the broader regional network will expand further as work on the Balugloa bridge past Ranital nears its finish line, with officials expecting it to open for traffic within a month. NHAI Hamirpur Project Director Rakesh Yadav stated that vehicular movement across the newly opened bridge and tunnel began following clearance from senior officials. Yadav added that street lighting will be installed on the bridge within a few days, while essential slope and approach safety measures continue along the margins.
The Broader 10,000-Crore Rupee Shimla-Kangra Highway Plan
The Kangra bypass forms a vital link within the wider Shimla-Kangra-Mataur four-lane initiative, which encompasses an overall length of around 223 kilometres with an estimated expenditure of roughly 10,000 crore rupees. Stretching across the four Himachal Pradesh districts of Shimla, Bilaspur, Kangra, and Hamirpur, each section of the grand highway involves distinct construction timelines and budgetary requirements. Specific segments include roughly 17.12 kilometres allocated for the Hamirpur bypass, 36.98 kilometres between Cheelbhal and Bhangbar in Kangra district, and 18.13 kilometres from Bhangbar to the Kangra bypass, alongside ongoing works connecting Bilaspur and Shimla.
