Travelers navigating through Himachal Pradesh now have a significantly faster route at their disposal. The National Highways Authority of India has opened the 19-kilometer Narla-Bijni super highway stretch in Mandi district to regular vehicular traffic. With this newly operational corridor, commuters traveling between Mandi and Narla can now complete their journey in just 20 to 25 minutes, bypassing the prolonged delays that previously defined travel through this mountainous terrain.
Reopening Follows Monsoon Repairs and Bridge Restoration
The reopening of this corridor brings an end to a protracted period of road closures caused by infrastructure damage. The highway had remained closed previously due to pending restoration at the Maigal bridge, which was compounded by extensive bridge repair work required during the monsoon season. Following the rains, authorities had only been able to open traffic between Tandu and Narla, compelling drivers heading beyond Tandu to divert onto the older route to reach Mandi. With this entire 19-kilometer stretch of the Pathankot-Mandi four-lane project now fully restored, tourists and local travelers moving between Bir Billing, Kangra, Padhar, Dharamshala, Mandi, and Manali receive direct relief.
Four Bridges Operational as Drang Bridge Awaits Redesign
Engineering teams have successfully restored four of the five bridges constructed along this high-speed corridor. Severe land subsidence during the rainy season had previously inflicted structural damage on these crossings. The remaining bridge at Drang is scheduled for complete reconstruction from scratch. Gaber Construction Company is currently finalizing a fresh structural design for the Drang bridge to ensure long-term stability against shifting mountain slopes.
Project Timeline, Cost, and Travel Time Reductions
Constructed at a total cost of 545 crore rupees, this 19-kilometer Mandi-Padhar segment represents a strategically vital piece of the broader Pathankot-Mandi National Highway network. The contract for this project was formally awarded on July 20, 2022, followed by the commencement of physical construction on November 4, 2024. The new 12-meter-wide roadway shortens the driving distance between Mandi and Padhar by approximately 3.75 kilometers, bringing the route down from the previous 23 kilometers to around 19 kilometers. By eliminating treacherous hairpin bends in favor of a straight, flat alignment, the corridor reduces what used to be a full one-hour drive down to a smooth 25-minute journey.
