Commuters traveling on the Kiratpur-Manali four-lane highway in Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh, can look forward to a safer journey. In a major initiative to curb road accidents and improve road safety, NHAI has finalized plans to construct flyovers at two key junctions, Dadaur and Nagchala. A contract worth ₹27 crore has been awarded to a private company to construct flyover-cum-underpasses at these locations, addressing a long-standing demand of the local population.
Eliminating Accident-Prone Black Spots
Dadaur, Nagchala, and Jhiri were identified as three major black spots on this four-lane stretch in Mandi, experiencing frequent and hazardous vehicular accidents. Responding to the safety concerns of local residents and commuters, NHAI approved the construction of flyover-cum-underpasses. While the Jhiri flyover construction is already underway with an investment of ₹33 crore, the new tender of ₹27 crore has been successfully allotted for Dadaur and Nagchala. The contracted firm is required to initiate ground operations within three months, with a strict project completion deadline of 400 days (approximately 1.5 years).
Technical Layout and Construction Design
Varun Chari, the Project Director for NHAI, explained the specific structural designs planned for both locations. At Dadaur, both lanes of the four-lane highway will be elevated onto a flyover, while an underpass will be constructed below to facilitate local traffic movement. In contrast, Nagchala will feature a single-sided design. Here, the flyover-cum-underpass will only be built on the lane coming from Bilaspur toward Mandi, while the opposite lane will remain in its current state.
Work Resumes at Jhiri Following High Court Orders
The ongoing development at Jhiri had previously run into roadblocks due to protests by local residents. The dispute eventually escalated to the Himachal Pradesh High Court. Following the court’s intervention and subsequent orders to keep the development active, the legal hurdles have been cleared. Varun Chari confirmed that construction activity is resuming at the Jhiri site to quickly finish the single-lane flyover-cum-underpass, which is being constructed on the lane heading from Mandi toward Kullu.
Progress on Mandi Bypass Tunnels
In another significant update for travelers on the Kiratpur-Manali route, the excavation work for the Mandi bypass tunnels has made substantial headway, with 60% of the digging process now complete. This infrastructure project is slated for full completion by September 2027. Once operational, the bypass tunnels will drastically improve road connectivity, making the journey between Manali and Dharamshala significantly smoother and faster.
