Munish Sood
MANDI: With continuous landslides and sinking of roads triggered by heavy rains leading to repeated closures of the Kiratpur-Manali four-lane highway and vehicles being stuck in traffic jams for hours, the Mandi district administration has emerged as a major source of relief for stranded commuters.
On Thursday (August 21, 2025) afternoon, thousands of people stuck in traffic from Pandoh 7 Miles to Dayod were provided meals through an initiative of the district administration. It may be noted that frequent landslides and road damage have been reported between Pandoh, Kanchi Mor, Dayod and Jogni Mata Temple. Several stretches of the highway have turned into single-lane routes, creating massive traffic congestion. As a result, locals, tourists and drivers are often stranded for long hours.
Langar service with administrative support
In light of these adverse conditions, the district administration took a commendable step by arranging food and water for those stranded. The district administration supplied ration to the Baba Balak Nath Temple Committee, Pandoh, and requested them to organise a langar (community kitchen) for commuters. The committee readily accepted this as an opportunity for service.
Temple committee president Deepak Saini informed that all food supplies were provided by the district administration, while the committee prepared and distributed the meals. Vehicles for distribution were also arranged by the administration.
Mandi-Sadar Tehsildar Prince Dhiman said that the administration is committed to providing relief to stranded commuters. On the orders of the Deputy Commissioner, relief camps have been set up at several points from Mandi to Aut to ensure no one remains hungry. The food service will continue until the traffic situation on the highway improves.
Service tradition continues from 2023 disaster
This is not the first time such efforts have been made. During the 2023 rain disaster, the district administration and the Baba Balak Nath Temple Committee had jointly served free meals to commuters stranded in traffic for 22 consecutive days, from 9 am to midnight. The same spirit of public service is once again visible, with hot meals, drinking water and compassion being offered to commuters round the clock.
Those stranded in the traffic jam praised the joint initiative of the district administration and the temple committee, calling it a true example of humanity. Meanwhile, the district administration appealed to the public to remain patient and cooperative during such times and to seek help from the relief centers whenever required.
