Part of the Chandigarh-Manali motorway, who washed out for floods in Beas, Kulle, 26 August 2025. Photo Credit: PTI
The Indian National Highway (NHAI) assigned 100 Crore to the urgent repairs of the Kull-Manali corridor in NH 21, while exploring long-term solutions such as the construction of tunnels.
The restoration work will be occupied in several places, of which 10 in the Kull-Manali section, which was completely washed away, and five places that were partially damaged in torrential rain and floods, Nhai said in a press statement. Damage to NH 21, which connects Kiratpur SaHib in Pandjab with Manali in Himachal Pradesh, during a week after heavy rain, lightning floods and landslides, interrupted the connectivity with Manali.
The renewal work takes place on the Chandigarh-Mani motorway in Kulle 28 August 2025. Photo Credit: Neither
Nhai Santosh Kumar Yadav chairman organized a meeting with higher Nhai officials and field officers from her regional office in Shimle on Friday (August 29, 2025) to review the situation.
Temporary repair
The funds were sanctioned to the Nhai regional office in Shimle in order to start the renewal, the statement said. Nhai maintenance supplier was also mobilized and the temporary renewal of the highway section takes place on a “war basis”, he added.
Nhai will also provide financial support from the Himachal Pradesh department to repair an alternative road that was also damaged. Only lightweight vehicles can now use this section.
Nhai also examines various options for permanent restoration of various parts of NH 21, including tunnel construction, increased structures and stabilization of inclination. In this respect he was looking for a detailed report on the project.
The NH 21 joins another key highway leading to light and these routes together provide direct link between Chandigarh, Lahaul-Spiti and Leh and meet the target of increased development of tourism and infrastructure development in Indian border regions by facilitating year-round approach and economic activities.
The four-resistant work of the Kiratpur-Manali motorway began in 2013 and was formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modim 11 March 2024. Upon completion of the motorway, the distance between Kiratpur and Manali will be shortened from 232 km to 195 km and shortens the travel time by three hours.
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Published – 29 August 2025 23:18
