In Himachal Pradesh, Kiratpur-Manali four lane, which is important from strategic and tourism point of view, has been completed up to Sundernagar Junction of Mandi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate it today by joining virtually from Delhi. With the construction of this four lane road, the distance from Kiratpur to Pung has been reduced by 37 km.
This will greatly benefit the local people as well as the tourists coming from Delhi, Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, Manali, Lahaul Spiti and Leh-Ladakh. This will save 2 hours in traveling to Manali. NHAI has set a speed limit of 60 km per hour on this four lane. In case of speeding, challan is automatically issued by cameras installed on all four lanes. Gramaura and Baloh toll plazas have also started on this four lane. 5 tunnels have been constructed from Kiratpur to Pung. NHAI had earlier targeted to complete the four-lane work till Manali by June 2024. But due to the devastation caused by heavy rains last year, the road has disappeared at many places. The situation is such that new roads have to be built at many places. Where the road is likely to be damaged by heavy rains and Beas water in future, replacement tunnels are being constructed. During this, Prime Minister Modi will lay the foundation stone of two-lane Hamirpur bypass at Hamirpur on Shimla-Mator corridor.