SHIMLA:  Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena today 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.

Saxena presided over a  meeting to assess the current status of repairs on these damaged highways.

Saxena said the landslide-impacted road at Chakki Mod near Parwanoo on the Parwanoo-Shimla stretch of the National Highway has been successfully restored and is now open for all vehicles, including heavy ones.

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.

Saxena further mandated the Public Works Department to concentrate on repairing the damaged roads serving as alternate routes to the National Highways.

Considering the essential supply needs, Saxena directed the Food and Civil Supplies Department to ensure an adequate stock of petrol and diesel for the Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti districts.

The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary (PWD) Bharat Khera, Secretary (Horticulture) C. Paulrasu, DC Kullu Ashutosh Garg, Engineer in Chief HPPWD Ajay Gupta, Regional Officer NHAI Abdul Basit, Special Secretary (PWD) Harbans Singh Brascon, ADC  Mandi Nivedita Negi and others.