Kullu-Manali Left Bank Road Still in Shambles Seven Months After Damage
Seven months after severe damage from heavy rain and landslides, the Kullu-Manali Left Bank road continues to be in a deplorable state, particularly at the Aleo stretch near Manali. Despite an expenditure of approximately Rs 4 crore on repairs, the road's condition has not seen significant improvement, raising concerns among locals and tourists.
Persistent Damage and Traffic Woes
The Left Bank road was extensively damaged at multiple locations due to intense rainfall, landslides, and flash floods. To maintain connectivity between Kullu and Manali, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) allocated around Rs 4 crore to the state Public Works Department (PWD) for repairs via Naggar. However, the road remains untarred, with only one lane open for vehicular traffic.
This has led to daily traffic congestion, causing long delays for tourists heading to Manali and thousands of residents from villages in the Left Bank area. Tourism stakeholders report that the poor road condition is directly affecting business in the region, which relies heavily on smooth seasonal traffic flow.
Local and Official Responses
Tourism entrepreneurs, including Gajendra Thakur, Manohar Lal, Kishan Thakur, and Mohan Lal, highlight that the Aleo stretch is still kutcha and restricted to one-way traffic. A local trader expressed shock, stating, "It is shocking that even a 100-metre road stretch has not been properly repaired in seven months."
NHAI Resident Engineer Ashok Chauhan explained that funds were released to keep the Kullu-Naggar-Manali Left Bank route operational during emergencies. Meanwhile, PWD officials noted that the entire road at Aleo was washed away during the last monsoon season.
According to Anoop Sharma, Executive Engineer of PWD Manali, temporary restoration has been completed, and RCC protection walls are being constructed along the Beas River. Tarring will commence only after these safety walls are in place.
Long-Term Plans and Delays
Beyond temporary repairs, the widening of the Left Bank road has been under discussion for years. In June 2021, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari announced the priority widening of the Kullu-Naggar-Manali stretch to two lanes. By January 2023, the NHAI began preparing a detailed project report (DPR). Recently, a Rs 5,621-crore proposal for constructing four lanes along the Beas left bank was announced.
However, floods in 2023 and 2025 shifted focus back to restoring the Kiratpur-Manali four-lane highway, leaving the Left Bank road plan in limbo. This situation underscores a troubling disconnect between policy announcements and on-ground execution.
Call for Immediate Action
The current state of the Kullu-Manali Left Bank road highlights urgent needs for repair and better infrastructure management. Locals and tourism stakeholders are now demanding immediate action to address the road's condition, emphasizing its critical role in regional connectivity and economic activity.
