NHAI finishes excavating work on Manali highway connecting portals

17 May 2022 CW Team

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) completed its excavating work on the Kiratpur-Manali highway, connecting both portals of the 1,300 m Nerchowk-Mandi-Pandoh bypass tunnel from Chadyana village to Malori.

This tunnel would reroute traffic from Nerchowk to Manali, barely 4 km before passing through Mandi town. The tunnel's construction began in March 2020.

In the presence of NHAI regional officer Abdul Vashid and project director Varun Chari, a breakthrough was accomplished.

The officials praised the workers and engineers for finishing the project on schedule. Now, another 600 m tunnel is being built in the area.

Varun Chari said that the tunnel would significantly lessen the traffic congestion in Mandi town in the coming days.

He said that they have opted to use the leaking water from the tunnel for drinking purposes, which is a first in the state.

Chari said that the construction of the Kiratpur-Nerchowk-Manali four-lane is progressing quickly, with the government's deadline for completion set for December.

In March, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari told the media that the 48 km Kiratpur-Nerchowk four-lane project, connecting Manali to the Sutlej through five tunnels and 22 bridges, would be finished by December.

The Union Minister said that this project will reduce the time it takes to travel from Kiratpur to Kullu by four hours. It will increase tourism and bring people prosperity.

Gadkari told the media that road construction is the government's primary priority under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.

NHAI was granted this road project in 2012. Although, it was never completed due to the poor pace of development.

Image Source

Also read: DPR for Mughal road tunnel to be completed soon

Equipment

12 Dec 2025

Schwing Stetter India Unveils New Innovations at Excon 2025

Schwing Stetter India unveiled more than 20 new machines at Excon 2025, marking one of its most significant showcases and introducing several India-first technologies to the construction equipment sector. The company launched the country’s first 56-metre boom pump designed and manufactured in India, the first fully electric truck mixer, the first CNG mixer variant and the first hybrid boom pump. Executives said the launch portfolio was engineered to support India’s move toward faster, greener and more vertically oriented infrastructure through advanced engineering, clean-energy solutions a..

SEPC Resolves Hindustan Copper Dispute, Wins Rs 725 Mn Order

Engineering, procurement and construction firm SEPC Ltd has recently settled a dispute with Hindustan Copper Ltd (HCL) and secured a mining infrastructure order valued at Rs 725 million from the state-owned company. SEPC informed the stock exchanges that it has executed a settlement deed with HCL, bringing closure to all inter-se claims and counterclaims arising from arbitration proceedings. As part of the settlement, SEPC will receive Rs 304.5 million as full and final payment, marking the resolution of all pending disputes between the two entities. The company also stated that Hindustan Co..

20% Ethanol Blending Cuts India’s CO2 Emissions by 73.6 Mn Tonnes

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari recently said that India has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 73.6 million metric tonnes due to the adoption of 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol. He made the statement while replying to supplementary questions during the Question Hour in the Lok Sabha. Describing ethanol as a green fuel, the minister said it plays a key role in reducing pollution while also supporting higher incomes for farmers. He underlined that ethanol blending contributes both to environmental sustainability and rural economic growth. Nitin Gadkari also po..