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Travel
Two New Tunnels on Kiratpur-Manali Highway to Open Sept 11, Easing Congestion
✍️ Hindustan Times
🗓 11 Sep 2026, 11:18 AM
👁 16
The two tunnels on the Kiratpur‑Manali stretch are slated for inauguration on September 11, aiming to reduce chronic traffic bottlenecks on the popular mountain route.
The National Highways Authority of India has announced that two long‑awaited tunnels on the Kiratpur‑Manali stretch will be inaugurated on 11 September. The structures are part of the ongoing upgrade of the mountain highway that links Punjab with the hill station of Manali in Himachal Pradesh.
The route has long suffered from severe bottlenecks, especially during the summer tourist season, when vehicle numbers swell and narrow sections force long queues. By providing a bypass through the previously difficult terrain, the tunnels are expected to cut travel time by several minutes and improve safety.
Construction, which began in 2020, was overseen by the Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department in coordination with central agencies. The twin tunnels together span several kilometres and feature modern ventilation and monitoring systems.
State officials said the opening will boost tourism and local commerce by offering a smoother flow of traffic, while also reducing fuel consumption and emissions associated with stop‑and‑go conditions.
The inauguration ceremony will be attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Road Transport and the state government, marking a key milestone in the region’s infrastructure development.
The route has long suffered from severe bottlenecks, especially during the summer tourist season, when vehicle numbers swell and narrow sections force long queues. By providing a bypass through the previously difficult terrain, the tunnels are expected to cut travel time by several minutes and improve safety.
Construction, which began in 2020, was overseen by the Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department in coordination with central agencies. The twin tunnels together span several kilometres and feature modern ventilation and monitoring systems.
State officials said the opening will boost tourism and local commerce by offering a smoother flow of traffic, while also reducing fuel consumption and emissions associated with stop‑and‑go conditions.
The inauguration ceremony will be attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Road Transport and the state government, marking a key milestone in the region’s infrastructure development.