Mandi SP Sakshi Verma says reality harsher than what is seen on social media
Munish Sood
MANDI: The Kiratpur-Mandi-Kullu-Manali National Highway, considered a strategic lifeline for Himachal Pradesh and a vital link to tourist destinations as well as forward areas of Ladakh, has been reeling under massive disruptions for over a month.
A journey that once took two and a half hours between Mandi and Kullu now stretches to five to 10 hours, sometimes more, leaving commuters, tourists and locals stranded for long hours.
Frequent landslides, heavy rains and repair work have combined to turn this critical highway into a nightmare. The highway’s closure for hours at a stretch is not just a matter of public inconvenience but a serious concern for regional connectivity, tourism and economic activity.
The issue has also rocked the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha where Sundernagar MLA and BJP chief spokesperson Rakesh Jamwal raised the matter strongly, urging the government to ensure a permanent solution at the earliest.
Commuters say ‘highway feels like punishment’
Daily accounts from the highway paint a grim picture. Videos circulating on social media show 20-km-long traffic snarls, people stranded without food or water and families spending nights in their vehicles.
“Driving on this road feels like a punishment now. You never know when you’ll get stuck and for how long,” said a commuter who recently spent over nine hours on the 80 km stretch.
Police caught in crossfire
With public anger mounting, the police have faced sharp criticism over alleged failures in regulating traffic. However, Mandi SP Sakshi Verma told The Newz Radar in an exclusive interaction that much of the criticism stems from incomplete understanding of the ground situation.
“The reality is far more complicated than what is seen on social media. The police are working with full commitment, but when the road itself sinks, we are left with no option. Engineers from NHAI and PWD instruct us to halt traffic until repair is completed, and only then can we allow vehicles to pass,” she explained.
Verma pointed to critical spots like Kainchi Mod, Jogni Mod and Dyod where the road has sunk several feet. “Even after partial repairs, one-way movement damages the surface again, forcing repeated closures. This is beyond police control,” she said.
Says more force cannot repair roads
On suggestions to increase police deployment, SP Verma was candid: “Extra manpower can improve lane discipline and naka management, but it cannot address the real issue — the fragile condition of the road. We’ve already deployed additional companies from the Pandoh battalion, yet the jams persist because the core problem is structural, not administrative.”
She confirmed that a request for additional force has been made to higher officials, but stressed: “Unless the road condition stabilises, additional deployment will only have limited effect.”
To reduce hardship, the police have initiated several measures:
Highway Helpline: A dedicated number has been issued where commuters can call to check traffic status, clearance time, or road conditions before starting their journey.
Holding points with facilities: Vehicles are now being stopped at locations with food, water and toilet facilities so that commuters do not suffer unduly during long halts.
Market area regulation: To ease congestion, traffic is being regulated before Pandoh and Takoli bazaars, preventing blockages inside towns.
Verma urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel on the route for now. “We are on the ground 24×7, but people must understand the limits of human control against nature. With patience and cooperation, we can minimise the suffering.”
