Munish Sood
MANDI
Commuters on the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway (NH-21) will not have to pay toll fees for the next one month after the Bilaspur administration ordered the suspension of collections at two key plazas in view of massive damage caused by continuous rainfall and landslides.
The suspension, effective from August 20, 2025, applies to the Baloh and Gadmod toll plazas in Bilaspur district. Deputy Commissioner Rahul Kumar (IAS), who also heads the District Disaster Management Authority, said that collecting toll tax while large sections of the highway remain blocked would be unjust to the public.
“When the national highway is partially or fully disrupted, imposing toll fees on commuters amounts to an unfair burden,” the order stated.
In recent weeks, the Chandigarh-Manali stretch has faced repeated landslides, road cave-ins, and falling boulders. Long traffic diversions and frequent blockages have left both locals and tourists struggling to travel. Heavy vehicles in particular face delays running into several hours.
Officials warn that with monsoon rains continuing, the risk of further landslides remains high, slowing ongoing clearance and repair efforts
Toll plaza closures across districts
The NH-21 originally had four toll plazas – two in Bilaspur, one in Mandi, and one in Kullu. But successive closures have left only one operational:
• The Dohlunala toll plaza in Manali has been closed since 2023.
• Earlier this month, after growing resentment from commuters, Mandi Deputy Commissioner ordered the closure of the Takoli toll plaza for one month.
• Now, Bilaspur’s Baloh and Gadmod plazas have also been suspended until mid-September.
With three plazas shut and only one remaining functional, most of the highway has effectively become toll-free.
Economic and Travel Impact
The Kiratpur–Manali highway is a crucial corridor connecting Himachal Pradesh’s interiors with Chandigarh and the plains. Its disruptions have dealt a blow to the tourism industry during peak season and escalated costs for truckers and transporters. Long detours have stretched travel times by hours, further impacting trade and supply chains.
For now, the suspension of toll fees offers some respite to commuters, though the larger challenges of road safety, frequent blockages, and weather-dependent repairs remain unresolved.
