900-Meter Tunnel to Bypass Pandoh Dam, Awaiting Ministry Approval

Mandi, May 12: While most major towns and cities along the Kiratpur-Manali four-lane highway have been successfully bypassed, the proposal to bypass Pandoh Bazaar has yet to move forward. After several modifications to the original plan, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has now submitted the final alignment of the Pandoh bypass to the Ministry for approval.

According to the finalized plan, the Pandoh bypass will span 3.5 kilometers and include a 900-meter tunnel designed to divert traffic away from the Pandoh Dam. Once completed, travelers will no longer be able to view the iconic dam during their journey. It is worth noting that the project suffered significant damage during the 2023 floods, prompting the Ministry to recommend several changes, which NHAI has now incorporated into the revised alignment.

Meanwhile, work between Mandi and Pandoh—particularly in the stretch between Four Mile and Seven Mile—has also been halted, as a new tunnel proposal is being drafted for that segment. NHAI Project Director Varun Chari confirmed this development and stated that once the Ministry grants approval for the Pandoh bypass, tenders will be issued and construction will commence. He emphasized NHAI’s commitment to completing the project at the earliest.

Tunnel Proposed to Enhance Safety Near Pandoh Dam

Initially, the construction of the Pandoh bypass was awarded to KMC, the same firm handling the Nagchala to Pandoh stretch. The route was originally planned as an open-road section near the Pandoh Dam. However, concerns raised by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) regarding the dam’s security led to a revision of the plan, with the introduction of a tunnel and other structural changes. These modifications contributed to delays in finalizing the alignment.

Although nearly 70% of the Kiratpur-Manali four-lane highway is now operational, construction of the Pandoh bypass is yet to begin.