Police on High Alert, But Nature Holds the Upper Hand
Munish Sood
Mandi
The Mandi-to-Aut stretch of the Chandigarh–Kiratpur – Manali National Highway, once a scenic drive through the hills, has now earned a grim new reputation — a “danger highway.”
Relentless monsoon rains have unleashed a chain of landslides, turning this vital road into a treacherous passage where every bend could hide a deadly surprise.
A Road Where Every Turn Feels Like a Gamble
For drivers and passengers alike, this stretch has become a test of nerves. One moment, the road is clear; the next, a thunderous crack echoes from the hillsides, and boulders come crashing down.
From Char Mile, Chhe Mile, Nau Mile to Pandoh Dam’s Kanchi Mor, Jogni Mor, Duwada Flyover, Jhalogi, and Banala Shani Mandir, at least eight locations have effectively become “Red Zones” — areas where the risk of sudden rockfalls is alarmingly high.
Locals say the danger is no longer a rare event but a daily reality. “Sometimes the road shuts completely for hours,” says a regular commuter. “You just wait, hoping the next rock won’t be yours to face.”
The Human Shield: Police Standing Guard
Authorities are not taking chances. The police have turned this vulnerable stretch into a 24/7 watch zone.
“We have stationed personnel at every high-risk point to respond instantly to emergencies,” says Anil Katoch, In-Charge of Pandoh Police Post. “Our teams remain in constant touch with senior officers, ensuring one-way traffic is managed safely at eight critical spots.”
Yet, despite their vigilance, the danger remains — because landslides don’t announce themselves. They happen in seconds, and when they do, even the best-prepared teams are at the mercy of nature’s timing.
When a Lifeline Turns Into a Liability
This isn’t just any highway. The Chandigarh–Manali NH is the region’s tourism lifeline, a trade corridor, and a strategic military route.
If such risks continue unchecked, the consequences could be far-reaching — not just in lives lost, but in tourism revenue, local livelihoods, and strategic connectivity.
Experts stress the need for long-term engineering solutions rather than seasonal patchwork. “Every bend here tells the same silent story,” a highway engineer noted. “It’s not if a landslide will happen, but when.”
The Road Ahead
For now, the Mandi–Aut stretch remains open — cautiously, under tight monitoring.
But for the thousands who must travel it daily, the journey has changed. No longer is it just a drive through the hills; it’s a calculated risk, taken in the shadow of mountains that sometimes choose to move.
Until a permanent solution is in place, this scenic highway will continue to live up to its uneasy new name: the Danger Highway.
