MANALI: After five days of complete blockade, the Chandigarh–Manali National Highway finally opened to light traffic at 11.40 am today via left bank Naggar section in Kullu, bringing massive relief to thousands of stranded tourists and farmers.
The vehicled laden with apples, vegetables, and other fruits that were rotting on the way to markets finally began moving out of Kullu and Manali via Naggar as the Katrain section of main highway is breached at several places.
The official said, “The Furious Beas had cut and breached the road at several places, with massive landslides and boulders blocking traffic. Our teams worked round the clock to clear the highway for small vehicles.”
But PWD Minister Vikramaditya SINGH Singh did not stop at praising his department.
He tore into Mandi BJP MP Kangana Ranaut, accusing her of “misleading the public” by posting false videos of people trapping in the Banala landslide on social media.
“At a time when the government is risking lives to restore roads and save people, spreading such lies is shameful,” he said.
While light traffic is now flowing out of Kullu-Manali, uncertainty still looms over the main highway and the Manali–Atal Tunnel route where a 200-metre stretch near Vashisht was completely washed away. Officials admit restoration there and main highway will take much longer.
Happiness, finally—after five days the lifeline is open, but the scars remain.
#HimachalFloods #ManaliHighway #VikramadityaSingh #KanganaRanaut
