Mandi, Himachal Pradesh: Traveling to Manali is set to become easier for tourists from Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi as two tunnels on the Kiratpur-Manali four-lane highway — at Dyodh and Hanogi — were opened to traffic on September 11. The development is expected to provide significant relief to tourists by reducing traffic jams and avoiding a landslide-prone stretch.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has constructed the 2.8-kilometre-long Dyodh Tunnel (T4-01) and the 650-metre-long Hanogi Tunnel (T4-02) on the Pandoh-Takoli section between Mandi and Manali.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari personally shared the news of the tunnels’ opening through his Instagram account on Friday.
According to the Union Minister, the opening of these tunnels will reduce the travel distance from approximately 6 kilometres to 3.5 kilometres and help alleviate the long traffic jams that used to occur at Jogni Mata Temple, Dyodh and Hanogi.
Mandi to Kullu Travel Time Reduced by One Hour
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced the commencement of traffic through both tunnels. With their opening, the travel time from Mandi to Kullu has been reduced from around two hours to approximately one hour.
The NHAI completed the tunnels ahead of the winter tourist season and the international Kullu Dussehra festival.
Relief From Traffic Jams and Landslides
During the tourist season, long queues of vehicles used to form around Jogni Mata Temple, Dyodh and Hanogi. Frequent landslides, particularly at Hanogi, posed a constant risk of accidents and often disrupted highway traffic for hours.
Similarly, during the tourist season, hundreds of vehicles would get stuck in traffic for one to two hours daily.
The opening of both tunnels will provide relief from traveling through a landslide-prone stretch spanning approximately 5.5 kilometres. This will also help reduce vehicular congestion on the narrow and winding route.
Easier Access to Manali, Atal Tunnel and Leh-Ladakh
The Kiratpur-Manali route is one of the most important road links for tourists visiting Himachal Pradesh. It serves as a major route for tourists from across the country to reach destinations such as Manali, Atal Tunnel, Manikaran, Rohtang, Shinku La Pass, Keylong and Leh-Ladakh.
Consequently, the opening of the Dyodh and Hanogi tunnels is considered significant for tourism.
The Dyodh Tunnel, which is 2.8 kilometres long, and the Hanogi Tunnel, measuring 650 metres, have been connected near Khoti Nala by a bridge approximately 140 metres long and 45 metres high.
Safety features such as CCTV cameras, ventilation systems and emergency exits have been installed in the tunnels. The NHAI conducted safety inspections and trial runs before commencing traffic operations.
Trial Run Conducted on September 7
On September 7, Vipnesh Sharma, Member (Projects) of the NHAI, inspected the Hanogi Tunnel. After reviewing the tunnel’s facilities, he instructed officials to ensure full compliance with safety standards.
Traffic inside the tunnel will be monitored through CCTV.
Pandoh-Takoli Four-Lane Project Costs ₹4,465.94 Crore
The Dyodh and Hanogi tunnels are part of the Pandoh Bypass-Takoli four-lane section. Work on this section, spanning approximately 18.908 kilometres, is being carried out at a cost of around ₹4,465.94 crore.
The project is being constructed under the Hybrid Annuity Model, a framework in which public and private entities collaborate.
Safety measures, including CCTV surveillance and ventilation systems, have also been incorporated into the Dyodh and Hanogi tunnels.