Chandigarh-Manali NH Blocked for 21 Hours: Stranded Travelers Spend the Night in Vehicles and on Parapets
Passengers spending the night on vehicles and parapet on Chandigarh-Manali NH
Mandi, July 13
The Chandigarh-Manali National Highway has remained blocked near Char Mile, on the outskirts of Mandi town, for the past 21 hours, causing severe inconvenience to thousands of commuters and tourists. With no alternate route available, many were forced to spend the night in their vehicles or on the roadside parapets, waiting for the road to reopen.
Drivers transporting perishable goods, especially vegetables, expressed deep concern over potential losses. Rajneesh Shukla, an NCC cadet from Maharashtra en route to an adventure camp in Manali, shared that his group was due to report yesterday. However, with the road blocked, they had no choice but to camp out under the open sky, hoping the highway would reopen by morning.
Another stranded tourist, Armaan Sandhu, said they’ve been waiting since yesterday for traffic to resume. Vegetable transporters Arjit Kalakh, Gurmeet Singh, and Jaideep voiced worries about their produce spoiling. They urged the government and administration to expedite restoration efforts, noting that delays in reaching the markets could lead to major financial losses. Though the roadwork company has assured reopening soon, travelers remain in limbo.
Landslide at Char Mile Triggered the Blockage
The disruption was caused by a major landslide around 2 p.m. yesterday near Char Mile. Fortunately, constable Yograj, who was on duty at the site, anticipated the risk and halted incoming traffic just in time. His quick judgment helped prevent any casualties, as he ordered vehicles to retreat from the danger zone moments before the debris fell.
Following the incident, Inspector Desh Raj, SHO of Sadar Police Station, personally visited the site. However, persistent rockfall from the hillside prevented any immediate clearance operations. As of this morning, KMC construction company has deployed heavy machinery to begin the clearing work.
Officials are hopeful the highway will reopen within the next 2–3 hours, restoring traffic flow on this critical route.
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