SOLAN/SHIMLA:  The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has reopened the Chakki Morh stretch on the Chandigarh-Shimla National Highway, restoring access for all types of vehicles that has brought much-relief to the apple and hotel industries of the state.

After almost two weeks of closure due to heavy rains triggering landslides, the thorough round-the-clock efforts of NHAI's machinery and workforce have cleared the 100-meter-long passage for all traffic as the rains  relented for last two days in Himachal.

The reopening of the Chakki Morh problematic stretch comes as a major relief for commuters, particularly transporters involved in ferrying apples from Shimla District to destinations like Parmanoo,  Pinjore and Delhi.

The incessant rainfall had led to a series of landslides over the past ten days, intermittently blocking traffic on this critical route.

The steep hill, inclined at  85 degree Angle, experienced continuous soil and stone slides, resulting in a barren landscape stripped of vegetation.

Debris and loose material and boulders  cascaded onto the highway, causing multiple disruptions and road closures as the entire stretch was breached here.

Earlier, traffic restrictions had been imposed on the Solan to Parwanoo stretch for light vehicles by the Deputy Collector of Solan.

However, following NHAI's diligent efforts and favorable conditions, the Chakki Morh stretch has been cleared for unrestricted traffic movement once again.

The timely reopening marks a significant achievement for NHAI and brings respite to both local commuters and long-distance transporters.

Even now the NHAI faces a challenging task to convert the stretch into four lanes as there is a little hard strata to create the required 32 m road length here.

The NHAI has to explore the possibility of the construction of a concrete bridge structure here to stabilize the steep slope, the experts said.  

Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena has urged officials of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to expedite the restoration of Kiratpur-Manali National Highway between Mandi and Manali, particularly at Kainchi Morh, Pandoh, Saat Meel, and Patlikuhal to Manali.

To alleviate traffic congestion on this route, he advised vehicles heading towards Ambala and Delhi to consider the alternative route via Kumarhatti-Nahan.

He informed that the blockage on the National Highway at Namhol on the Shimla-Bilaspur stretch has been cleared, enabling the resumption of vehicular movement.

Saxena instructed relevant officials to take necessary measures to maintain the road in proper condition.

He also stressed the importance of restoring the damaged stretch at Kotrupi on the Pathankot-Mandi National Highway. Until the Kotrupi road is fully operational, traffic will be rerouted through the Katindi-Jathingari-Gatasani road.

To ensure smoother traffic flow, a well-defined timetable for vehicle movement between Bajaura and Mandi has been established.