Mandi (Munish Sood)
With the Himachal Pradesh tourist season in full swing following fresh snowfall, the Mandi police have ramped up their efforts to ensure smooth traffic flow on the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway.
Thousands of tourists are travelling to Manali to celebrate the New Year, leading to a significant rise in vehicular movement through Mandi district, the gateway to Kullu-Manali.
To manage this surge, 35 police personnel have been deployed on the highway, with an additional 24 officers joining on December 28. Special patrolling teams will remain on duty round-the-clock until January 2, monitoring vehicle movement and maintaining traffic order.
Traffic management on high alert
Mandi ASP Sagar Chandra confirmed that additional forces have been stationed at key locations, including Bhawana in Sundernagar and Nine Miles near Mandi. Checkposts have been established at these points to prevent traffic jams and ensure that vehicles move safely and smoothly.
“Our personnel are committed to maintaining traffic discipline during this busy season. Alongside traffic management, they will also monitor law and order to prevent incidents of unruly behaviour and violence,” said ASP Sagar Chandra.
He further appealed to drivers to exercise caution and adhere to traffic rules, emphasising the importance of disciplined driving on the highway.
Construction work adds to traffic woes
The ongoing construction work under the Kiratpur-Manali four-lane project has compounded traffic challenges. Several sections of the highway between Four Miles in Mandi and Hanogi are under development, causing vehicles to move slowly.
Reckless overtaking at these bottlenecks poses a significant risk. In a tragic incident earlier this year, two drivers returning from New Year celebrations in Manali lost their lives after a scuffle over overtaking. Both fell into the Beas river near Bindrabani during the altercation.
Tourist season brings joy and caution
Manali, a favourite destination for New Year celebrations, has witnessed a massive influx of visitors this season. However, the high volume of traffic underscores the importance of safe driving practices.
The Mandi police’s enhanced presence aims to ensure that tourists and locals alike can travel safely and enjoy the holiday season without incident.
