Daijiworld Media Network - Shimla

Shimla, Sep 10: Two major tunnels between Deod and Hanogi on the Kiratpur-Manali four-lane national highway will open to traffic on Friday, September 11, marking a significant boost to connectivity and road safety in Himachal Pradesh.

The tunnels have undergone safety checks and trial runs conducted by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

The twin-tube tunnels measure 2.8 km and 650 metres and are connected by a 140-metre bridge near Khotinalla. Initially, one tube of each tunnel will be opened.

The new infrastructure will bypass a 5.5-km landslide-prone stretch of the old road and is expected to reduce travel time between Mandi and Kullu by around 60 minutes under normal traffic conditions.

The tunnels are located on the Pandoh-Takoli section of National Highway-03, an important route connecting Mandi with Kullu-Manali and further towards Leh-Ladakh.

They are also expected to ease congestion on the route, particularly during the peak tourist season when traffic delays can stretch for hours.

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced the opening on his official X handle.

"A major boost to connectivity in Himachal Pradesh! 2 major tunnels at Deod and Hanogi are being opened to traffic on September 11 2026, marking a significant transformation in connectivity on the Pandoh-Takoli section of NH-03," Gadkari said.

He said the tunnels would reduce the affected road stretch from 6 km to 3.5 km and provide relief from prolonged congestion near Jogni Mata Mandir, Deod and Hanogi, where tourist-season traffic can face delays of one to two hours or more.

The tunnels are part of the Rs 4,465.94-crore four-laning project covering the End of Pandoh Bypass-Takoli section of NH-21. The 18.908-km corridor is being executed under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM).

Gadkari said improved traffic flow along the corridor is expected to bring the journey between Mandi and Kullu down from around two hours to approximately 60 minutes during normal traffic conditions.

Sources said delays in the project had earlier been caused by mountain movement across two fault zones. An Austrian company studied the geological issues to address cracking in the area.

The tunnels have been equipped with CCTV surveillance, ventilation systems and emergency exits as part of the safety arrangements.

"There is a need to slow down traffic at the entrance of the tunnel with safety arrangements like blinkers. The project is strategically important," an official said.

Former Himachal Pradesh chief minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur had said a few days ago that the tunnels would bypass the most landslide-prone stretch once operational, making travel safer while significantly reducing the travel distance.