{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "New 19 km Narla to Bijni Stretch Opens in Himachal, Slashing Mandi to Padhar Travel to 25 Minutes",
  "summary": "The National Highways Authority of India has opened the 545 crore rupee highway section in Mandi, reducing driving time by more than half.",
  "content": "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.\n\nReopening Follows Monsoon Repairs and Bridge Restoration\nThe 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.\n\nFour Bridges Operational as Drang Bridge Awaits Redesign\nEngineering 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.\n\nProject Timeline, Cost, and Travel Time Reductions\nConstructed 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.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThe opening of this highway segment cuts more than 35 minutes off standard mountain travel times between Mandi and Padhar.\n\n• Across India: Travelers heading toward Kangra Valley, Bir Billing, and Manali will experience significantly faster road connections with fewer hazardous mountain bends. Freight operators and long-distance transport will benefit from reduced fuel usage and faster transit times.\n• In Himachal Pradesh: Daily commuters between Mandi and Padhar will see their travel time shrink from a full hour down to just 25 minutes. Local residents will also benefit from faster emergency transit and smoother transportation of local goods.\n• For Motorists: Drivers gain a wide 12-meter straight road of 19 kilometers instead of the old winding 23-kilometer stretch. This straight alignment minimizes wear and tear on vehicles while reducing collision risks on sharp hairpin bends.\n• For Regional Businesses: Improved links between major hubs like Dharamshala and Manali will support tourism-driven businesses, including hospitality and taxi operators. Easier travel access is expected to bolster regional commerce and tourism footfall.\n\nWhy this happened\nThe highway section was made fully operational after extensive post-monsoon engineering repairs restored structural stability along key mountain crossings.\n\n• Monsoon Land Subsidence: Heavy rains triggered significant ground subsidence that damaged the Maigal bridge and surrounding road segments. These structural vulnerabilities had forced authorities to shut down traffic to prevent accidents.\n• Bridge Restorations: Highway engineers had to inspect and restore four out of five bridges along the corridor before clearing it for high-speed travel. Traffic that was previously diverted from Tandu onto the older road can now stay on the new alignment.\n• Complete Redesign at Drang: The bridge at Drang sustained severe damage from shifting earth, making straightforward repairs insufficient for long-term safety. Gaber Construction Company was tasked with creating an entirely new structural design for a replacement bridge.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. What is the total length and width of the opened Narla-Bijni highway section?\nThe newly opened highway section measures 19 kilometers in length with a total width of 12 meters.\n\n2. What was the total expenditure incurred on this 19 km highway stretch?\nThe construction of this 19-kilometer stretch was completed at a total cost of 545 crore rupees.\n\n3. How much travel time is saved between Mandi and Padhar?\nThe journey between Mandi and Padhar now takes just 20 to 25 minutes, down from an hour previously.\n\n4. How much shorter is the new route compared to the old one?\nThe new 19 km route reduces the driving distance by approximately 3.75 kilometers compared to the 23 km old route.\n\n5. How many bridges along this stretch have been fully restored?\nFour out of the five bridges are fully operational, while the damaged Drang bridge will be rebuilt from scratch.\n\n6. Which entity is preparing the new design for the Drang bridge?\nGaber Construction Company is currently preparing the fresh structural design for the bridge at Drang.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/himachal-pradesh/himachal-pradesh-men-narla-se-bijni-ke-bicha-naya-supara-haive-shuru-mandi-se-padhar-ka-saphara-aba-25-minata-men-56306",
  "category": "Himachal Pradesh",
  "publishedAt": "2026-11-04",
  "tags": [
    "Himachal Pradesh",
    "Mandi",
    "Pathankot Mandi Highway",
    "NHAI",
    "Road Infrastructure",
    "Dharamshala",
    "Manali"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia",
  "whatItMeansForYou": "The opening of this highway segment cuts more than 35 minutes off standard mountain travel times between Mandi and Padhar.\n\n• Across India: Travelers heading toward Kangra Valley, Bir Billing, and Manali will experience significantly faster road connections with fewer hazardous mountain bends. Freight operators and long-distance transport will benefit from reduced fuel usage and faster transit times.\n• In Himachal Pradesh: Daily commuters between Mandi and Padhar will see their travel time shrink from a full hour down to just 25 minutes. Local residents will also benefit from faster emergency transit and smoother transportation of local goods.\n• For Motorists: Drivers gain a wide 12-meter straight road of 19 kilometers instead of the old winding 23-kilometer stretch. This straight alignment minimizes wear and tear on vehicles while reducing collision risks on sharp hairpin bends.\n• For Regional Businesses: Improved links between major hubs like Dharamshala and Manali will support tourism-driven businesses, including hospitality and taxi operators. Easier travel access is expected to bolster regional commerce and tourism footfall.",
  "whyItHappened": "The highway section was made fully operational after extensive post-monsoon engineering repairs restored structural stability along key mountain crossings.\n\n• Monsoon Land Subsidence: Heavy rains triggered significant ground subsidence that damaged the Maigal bridge and surrounding road segments. These structural vulnerabilities had forced authorities to shut down traffic to prevent accidents.\n• Bridge Restorations: Highway engineers had to inspect and restore four out of five bridges along the corridor before clearing it for high-speed travel. Traffic that was previously diverted from Tandu onto the older road can now stay on the new alignment.\n• Complete Redesign at Drang: The bridge at Drang sustained severe damage from shifting earth, making straightforward repairs insufficient for long-term safety. Gaber Construction Company was tasked with creating an entirely new structural design for a replacement bridge.",
  "questionsAndAnswers": [
    {
      "question": "What is the total length and width of the opened Narla-Bijni highway section?",
      "answer": "The newly opened highway section measures 19 kilometers in length with a total width of 12 meters."
    },
    {
      "question": "What was the total expenditure incurred on this 19 km highway stretch?",
      "answer": "The construction of this 19-kilometer stretch was completed at a total cost of 545 crore rupees."
    },
    {
      "question": "How much travel time is saved between Mandi and Padhar?",
      "answer": "The journey between Mandi and Padhar now takes just 20 to 25 minutes, down from an hour previously."
    },
    {
      "question": "How much shorter is the new route compared to the old one?",
      "answer": "The new 19 km route reduces the driving distance by approximately 3.75 kilometers compared to the 23 km old route."
    },
    {
      "question": "How many bridges along this stretch have been fully restored?",
      "answer": "Four out of the five bridges are fully operational, while the damaged Drang bridge will be rebuilt from scratch."
    },
    {
      "question": "Which entity is preparing the new design for the Drang bridge?",
      "answer": "Gaber Construction Company is currently preparing the fresh structural design for the bridge at Drang."
    }
  ]
}