Mandi: Tempo Traveller Hit by Landslide on NH-03, 11 Narrowly Escape

Mandi, June 8:
A major tragedy was averted on Saturday morning when a landslide struck a Tempo Traveller on National Highway-03 (Jalandhar–Mandi–Attari) near Parachhu Dhank in the Dharampur subdivision. The vehicle, en route from Chandigarh to Basahi Dhar (Jogindernagar), was hit by falling debris and boulders from the hillside, causing it to overturn on the road. Fortunately, all 11 passengers survived the incident with only minor injuries reported in 3–4 individuals.

The incident occurred around 5:30 AM. Road widening work is currently underway on this stretch of the highway, involving excavation of the hillside. As a result of this ongoing work, a large amount of debris and a massive boulder suddenly came crashing down from the Parachhu slope. One of the boulders struck the Tempo Traveller, leading it to lose balance and overturn on the road.

Thankfully, the vehicle overturned near the road’s edge and did not tumble into the deep gorge below — a fall that could have proved fatal. Moments after the accident, an HRTC bus passed through the same route, narrowly avoiding the landslide.

Local residents rushed to the scene immediately, and the police arrived shortly thereafter to assess the situation. Authorities recorded statements from the driver and passengers. Concerned residents have urged the authorities and the relevant department to ensure that roadwork in the area is carried out more safely and under stricter supervision to prevent such potentially deadly incidents in the future.