18 new FOBs planned for Kiratpur-Manali highway

28 Oct 2024 CW Team

In Bilaspur district, three FOBs will be built at Mora, Gara, and Ree villages. The Mandi district will see the addition of ten FOBs in areas including Naulakha, Kannaid, Bhour, Dadour, Jaral, Thalout, Aut, Takoli, and Nagwain, with two FOBs planned for Dadour. Five more will come up in Kullu district at Bhuin, near the Bhoothnath bridge, Ramshila, Katrain, and Bran villages.

NHAI project director Varun Chari confirmed that construction has already started at six sites. “These 18 FOBs will not only facilitate safer crossing for residents and pedestrians, particularly during peak hours, but also help reduce traffic congestion,” said Chari.

In response to increased traffic and accident risks along the highway, NHAI officials have proposed building nine additional FOBs in densely populated areas along the route. The proposal is under review by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, with construction set to begin upon approval.

Residents along the highway have long requested the construction of these overbridges, citing difficulties faced by children, the elderly, and those needing to access fields with livestock. Local authorities have received numerous complaints regarding the hazards of crossing the busy road, especially during rush hours.

NHAI officials emphasised the importance of the FOBs in reducing accidents, noting that traffic—particularly vehicles headed to Manali—has surged since the highway’s Kiratpur-Nerchowk section opened on August 6, 2023. While the section was made operational last August, it was officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 11, 2024. (ET)

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced the construction of 18 foot overbridges (FOBs) along the Kiratpur-Manali highway to enhance pedestrian safety and ensure smoother traffic flow. The project, spanning the districts of Bilaspur, Mandi, and Kullu in Himachal Pradesh, is estimated to cost Rs 1.46 billion. In Bilaspur district, three FOBs will be built at Mora, Gara, and Ree villages. The Mandi district will see the addition of ten FOBs in areas including Naulakha, Kannaid, Bhour, Dadour, Jaral, Thalout, Aut, Takoli, and Nagwain, with two FOBs planned for Dadour. Five more will come up in Kullu district at Bhuin, near the Bhoothnath bridge, Ramshila, Katrain, and Bran villages. NHAI project director Varun Chari confirmed that construction has already started at six sites. “These 18 FOBs will not only facilitate safer crossing for residents and pedestrians, particularly during peak hours, but also help reduce traffic congestion,” said Chari. In response to increased traffic and accident risks along the highway, NHAI officials have proposed building nine additional FOBs in densely populated areas along the route. The proposal is under review by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, with construction set to begin upon approval. Residents along the highway have long requested the construction of these overbridges, citing difficulties faced by children, the elderly, and those needing to access fields with livestock. Local authorities have received numerous complaints regarding the hazards of crossing the busy road, especially during rush hours. NHAI officials emphasised the importance of the FOBs in reducing accidents, noting that traffic—particularly vehicles headed to Manali—has surged since the highway’s Kiratpur-Nerchowk section opened on August 6, 2023. While the section was made operational last August, it was officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 11, 2024. (ET)

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

VECV Sales Rise 7.8 Per Cent In May 2026

VE Commercial Vehicles recorded sales of 7,978 units in May 2026, compared to 7,401 units in May 2025, registering growth of 7.8 per cent. This included 7,789 units from the Eicher brand and 189 units from the Volvo brand.Eicher branded trucks and buses reported sales of 7,789 units during the month, up 7.3 per cent from 7,258 units a year earlier. In the domestic commercial vehicle market, Eicher sales rose 9.1 per cent to 7,375 units from 6,758 units in May 2025.Exports declined 17.2 per cent to 414 units from 500 units in the corresponding month last year. Volvo Trucks and Volvo Buses recor..

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

Table Space Strengthens DESYN Leadership Team

Table Space has announced strategic leadership appointments within DESYN, its integrated Design and Build business, as it looks to strengthen operations across key enterprise and GCC markets in India. DESYN was launched as a strategic extension of Table Space’s workspace solutions portfolio to meet rising demand for agile, high-quality and rapidly deployable enterprise workspaces.Shruti Ookabhoy has joined DESYN as Executive Director and will lead the Design vertical, focusing on design capability, operational excellence and team development across markets. She brings over 22 years of experi..

Infrastructure Transport

02 Jun 2026

Concord Associate Bags Rs 2.79 Bn Kavach Order

Concord Control Systems said its associate company, Progota India, has received a Rs 2.79 bn domestic order from Indian Railways for the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of on-board Kavach 4.0 loco equipment.The order is scheduled for execution within 12 months and strengthens Concord’s role in India’s railway safety and signalling ecosystem. Kavach is India’s indigenous automatic train protection system, designed to improve operational safety by helping prevent signal passing at danger and reducing collision risks.Gaurav Lath, Joint Managing Director, Concord Control Syst..