Survey begins for constructing 2 tunnels on Pandoh-Mandi stretch of Chandigarh-Manali national highway
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The Newz Radar
MANDI: Following the catastrophic flashfloods in 2023 that led to prolonged highway blockades, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had to reassess the highway construction plan between Mandi and Pandoh. The geographical challenges in this stretch rendered traditional hill-cutting methods impractical.
The four-lane project, covering a 18-km distance between Mandi and Pandoh, faced substantial damage due to rains in various locations. The NHAI then devised a plan to construct a 2-km long, single-tube double-lane tunnel between Mandi and Pandoh within the 4 to 7 Miles stretch on the Kiratpur-Manali national highway in Mandi district. The original intention was to keep the existing highway open for one-sided traffic movement.
However, the plan has been revised, and now two separate tunnels are being constructed in the same section, recognising the vulnerability of the current national highway, which cannot ensure free traffic movement due to the fragile mountain terrain. A consultant agency currently in the area has been tasked to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for the tunnel and assessing its feasibility. Additionally, the agency will examine the feasibility of bridges to enhance road connectivity.
NHAI Project Director Varun Chari told TNR that the initial plan involved constructing a single one-way tunnel alongside an open road. However, considering the geographical conditions, there is now contemplation of building two tunnels on the same stretch for both directions. He mentioned that the surveying company has been assigned the responsibility to construct two tunnels at one location, and the possibilities of tunnel construction will be determined after the survey report. If feasible, two tunnels may be constructed at one location.
