₹22 Crore Sanctioned for 27 Foot Overbridges Along Kiratpur–Manali Four-Lane Highway

Mandi, May 8 – Nearly 70% of the Kiratpur–Manali four-lane highway is now open to traffic, significantly easing vehicular movement along this strategic route. However, for residents living along the highway, safely crossing the road on foot remains a major concern, with many still risking their lives to walk across lanes of fast-moving traffic due to the lack of pedestrian infrastructure.

To address this issue, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has initiated the construction of 27 foot overbridges (FOBs) along the highway from Kiratpur to Manali, with an estimated budget of ₹22 crore.

NHAI Project Director Varun Chari stated that in the first phase, 18 foot overbridges are being constructed at a cost of ₹15 crore. Most of these are already nearing completion. In certain locations, overhead power lines have delayed progress, but the Electricity Department has been notified, and work will resume as soon as the obstructions are cleared.

Additionally, tenders have been floated for 9 more foot overbridges in Bilaspur district, estimated to cost ₹7 crore. Construction on these will begin immediately after the tendering process is finalized.

The Kiratpur–Manali four-lane project is now fully operational between Kiratpur and Mandi, as well as from Aut to Kullu. The Mandi–Aut section is still under construction, though some segments, including tunnels, are already open to traffic. Despite the overall progress, residents along the route had no pedestrian crossing infrastructure until now—a crucial safety gap that is finally being addressed through the overbridge initiative.