Major Progress on Mandi Bypass Tunnel Project in Himachal Pradesh

Significant Milestone Achieved in Mandi Bypass Tunnel Construction

The 3.5-km twin-tube tunnel aims to alleviate traffic congestion in Mandi town; Gawar Construction Company is leading the project, with BCC overseeing tunnel operations; completion is anticipated by September 2027.

Munish Sood
MANDI
The excavation for the strategically vital Mandi bypass tunnel, which will be the longest tunnel constructed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in Himachal Pradesh, has surpassed the 60% completion mark. This 3.5-km twin-tube tunnel is a crucial part of the Pathankot-Mandi National Highway initiative, with a target completion date set for September 2027.

The project has been entrusted to Gawar Construction Company, while Bharat Construction Company (BCC) is responsible for the specialized tunnel construction tasks. During a media briefing at Bijni on Thursday, BCC General Manager R.C.S. Rawat provided updates on the progress following the Vishwakarma Puja.

As per the NHAI project documentation, the work includes expanding the Bijni-Mandi section to four lanes with paved shoulders, covering the existing Km 202.815 to Km 208.000 of NH-20, now referred to as New NH-154. The overall design length of this segment is 5.357 km, which includes the 3.5-km twin-tube tunnel. The project is being executed under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM), Package-VB.

Tunnel construction commenced in March 2025, and approximately 60% of the excavation has been finalized. The tunnel is being built through challenging Himalayan terrain, marking it as one of the most significant engineering feats of the Mandi bypass.

Once completed, this tunnel is expected to revolutionize traffic flow through Mandi town. Vehicles will be able to bypass Mandi from both the Chandigarh and Dharamshala directions, particularly aiding those traveling towards Kullu-Manali and those coming from the Pathankot-Dharamshala route.

The most noticeable impact is anticipated in areas such as Khaliar, Purani Mandi, Bhuili, Paddal, and Saulikhad, where heavy highway traffic has been a major contributor to congestion. The operational bypass will redirect long-distance traffic away from these urban areas, significantly alleviating congestion and facilitating smoother local movement.

For Mandi, this project holds particular importance as the town serves as a key transit hub between the plains and Kullu-Manali. Currently, tourist vehicles, commercial traffic, and local commuters share the same roadways, leading to increased pressure during weekends, holidays, and peak tourist seasons.

The bypass will establish a clearer distinction between highway traffic and local urban traffic, allowing vehicles that do not need to enter Mandi to continue their journey without traversing the town.

At Bijni, Vishwakarma Puja was celebrated with the involvement of company officials, engineers, employees, and workers. A havan and aarti were conducted in reverence to Lord Vishwakarma, with prayers for the safety of workers and the swift, successful completion of the tunnel project.

Rawat emphasized that BCC is committed to maintaining the momentum of work to meet the September 2027 completion goal.

Upon completion, the 3.5-km twin-tube tunnel—the longest NHAI tunnel in Himachal Pradesh— is expected to become a landmark feature of the state's highway infrastructure, providing Mandi town with a long-awaited resolution to the issue of heavy through traffic.