Kullu–Manali Highway: New Traffic Plan Amid Ongoing Repairs
Deputy Commissioner of Kullu, Torul S. Ravish, has issued new directives to regulate traffic on the Kullu–Manali National Highway, as authorities continue to grapple with the aftermath of this year’s devastating monsoon floods and landslides. The vital highway, which runs along the Beas River, suffered extensive damage in August when heavy rains washed away long stretches of road and protective embankments, severing the link between Kullu and Manali for more than three weeks.
Partial restoration allowed one-way traffic to resume on September 16, but the administration has now implemented a strict traffic management plan to balance travel needs with urgent restoration and widening works.
Under the new schedule, the Right Bank Road from Raison to Manali will remain closed daily from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. During these hours, all traffic will be diverted via the Left Bank Road through Raison. From 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., one-way traffic from Kullu to Manali will be permitted on the Right Bank Road, while local vehicles may travel both ways between Patlikuhal and Kalath. For safety, vehicles will not be allowed to start from Raison after 4:30 p.m. or from Aloo Ground after 5:20 p.m., as the stretch typically takes 50 minutes to traverse.
The highway will remain fully closed between 5 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. for restoration activities, with exceptions only for emergency services. After 9:30 p.m., the route will reopen for one-way traffic until 10 a.m. the following day, with two-way access restored for local vehicles between Patlikuhal and Kalath. Meanwhile, the section from Raison to 15 Mile (Dohlunala) will remain open for two-way traffic, though movement from 15 Mile to Aloo Ground will be staggered and regulated.
Ironically, the highway was widened to two lanes in 2021 to reduce congestion and accommodate growing tourism. However, much of this upgraded stretch was destroyed in the 2023 floods, and many portions remain unrepaired. The latest deluge has further damaged the 38-kilometer Kullu–Manali corridor, raising public concern about the durability of past construction and repair efforts.
Officials have urged travelers and tourists to strictly follow the new schedule, warning that failure to comply could lead to delays and safety risks. They added that every effort is being made to speed up restoration. Crews are working round-the-clock to restore normal traffic flow on this critical valley lifeline while minimizing disruptions.
Tourism operator Buddhi Prakash Thakur, however, argued that heavy vehicles carrying supplies to Manali should not be diverted to the Left Bank Road, as this is causing severe congestion.
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