Commuters travelling through the mountainous terrains of Himachal Pradesh can now experience a significantly safer and smoother journey between Mandi and Kullu. Traffic movement along this vital route has received a major boost as part of the ongoing Kiratpur-Manali four-lane highway development.
The newly constructed tunnels situated between Dayod and Hanogi have officially been thrown open to vehicular traffic. The operationalization of these tunnels successfully addresses major hazards that motorists previously faced on the older national highway, particularly the constant threat of falling rocks from unstable hill slopes and massive traffic bottlenecks.
Previously, drivers and passengers had to navigate through narrow stretches on the old highway near Khotinala and the Jogani Mata temple. That legacy route was notoriously congested due to its narrow width, frequently trapping vehicles in long tailbacks while exposing travellers to the constant danger of debris cascading down from the steep mountainsides.
Paramdev, Chairman of the Pandoh Taxi Operators Union, along with jeep driver Kaul Singh, bus operator Dinesh, and Dola Ram, noted that the opening of these tunnels successfully concludes years of waiting for local transport workers.
They expressed relief that the daily struggle against traffic jams and dangerous rockfalls has finally ended, adding that the improved route ensures better vehicle safety and substantial fuel savings.
The commissioning of these tunnels has also directly shortened the physical distance between Mandi and Kullu. While the previous route measured approximately 78 kilometres, the distance has now decreased to 60 kilometres.
Consequently, the travel time between Mandi and Kullu has dropped to just one hour, a substantial improvement compared to the two hours or more it previously required. While that overall reduction applies to the broader project scope, motorists using the newly opened section alone save roughly two and a half kilometres of driving distance.
The newly opened infrastructure features one tunnel measuring 2.8 kilometres in length and a second tunnel spanning 650 metres. Travelling the exact same stretch via the old winding highway previously required covering nearly six kilometres.
Local authorities anticipate that this infrastructure milestone will provide immense convenience to residents and visitors during the upcoming Kullu Dussehra festival. Local residents Gopi and Mahendra Pal, alongside tourist Goldy Ram, shared that travelling to and from Kullu has become remarkably easier and more comfortable following the launch of the tunnels.
The infrastructure is part of the larger Pandoh Bypass Takoli four-lane project, which encompasses a total of 10 tunnels. Although five of these tunnels were previously opened to the public, the Dayod-Hanogi tunnel served as the primary gateway for the entire network.
Officials noted that three other tunnels within this project sustained damage during heavy monsoon rains last year, and repair work on them is currently underway to ensure they can be safely opened to traffic in the near future.
