Huge Traffic Jam on Chandigarh-Manali Road as Landslide Blocks Highway Again
Chandigarh: In a recent incident, the Chandigarh-Manali highway has been blocked due to a massive landslide near Aut in Mandi district. The landslide happened around 10:15 pm at the entrance of tunnel No. 11 at Jhanogi, about 4 km from Aut. This has caused hundreds of vehicles to get stuck once again, as the falling rocks and boulders are making it challenging to clear the road.
As a result, only smaller vehicles are allowed to use the Bajaura-Kamand-Mandi link road, which is also experiencing heavy traffic. Authorities have been working to clear the highway, but continuous landslides are causing delays. Tunnel No. 11 has also been damaged in the landslide. The timeline for reopening the highway remains uncertain.
Efforts are being made to redirect traffic through an alternative tunnel that had recently faced flooding due to a flash flood.
This isn’t the first time the Chandigarh-Manali highway has faced disruptions this monsoon season. Frequent landslides, flash floods, and cave-ins have been blocking the Mandi to Kullu section of the highway. Several roads across Himachal Pradesh remain blocked due to these natural events. The Mandi district is the most affected, with 87 closed roads, followed by Shimla, Solan, Kullu, and Kangra districts.
The Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has emphasized the need for strategic tunnel construction to improve connectivity and boost tourism. He has requested the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to expedite restoration work on damaged highways, including the Mandi-Manali four-lane road. He also stressed the importance of timely road restoration to ensure the transportation of produce, especially during the ongoing apple season.
Sukhu has pushed for the completion of various tunnel projects and the improvement of road aesthetics to benefit different districts in Himachal Pradesh. He has also addressed the need for better slope stabilization and drainage systems to prevent future damage.
In conclusion, due to a major landslide near Aut in Mandi district, the Chandigarh-Manali highway is once again blocked, causing significant traffic disruption. Efforts are ongoing to clear the road, but challenges persist due to frequent landslides and damage to infrastructure.
