Kullu: The Hanogi tunnel on the Kiratpur-Manali highway will open to traffic on Friday, the Union road transport and highways minister said in a social media post on Thursday.The twin-tube tunnel, measuring 2.8 km and 650 metres, will reduce the affected road stretch from 6 km to 3.5 km and ease congestion at Jogni Mata Mandir, Deod and Hanogi, where tourist-season traffic can face delays of one to two hours or more, the minister said.With improved traffic flow, the journey from Mandi to Kullu is expected to reduce from around two hours to about 60 minutes under normal traffic conditions, he added.The twin-tube tunnel is part of the 19-km Pandoh-Takoli section, a key component of the Kiratpur-Manali four-laning project. Five twin-tube tunnels are being constructed on the section, with the Deod-Hanogi tunnels forming its entry stretch. One tube of each tunnel will initially be opened to traffic. A 140-metre-long, 45-metre-high bridge near Khotinalla links the two tunnels.The tunnels are equipped with CCTV surveillance, ventilation and emergency exit systems.The opening follows safety inspections and trial runs by NHAI officials, including NHAI member (projects) Vipnesh Sharma, on Sep 7. The project had faced delays after hill movement was detected along a 25-metre section of the Hanogi tunnel. Investigations by an Austrian company identified two fault zones responsible for movement and cracks in the tunnel, following which corrective work was taken up.The tunnels are part of the Rs 4,466-crore four-laning project being executed under the Hybrid Annuity Mode.The opening comes against the backdrop of continuing monsoon-related damage on the highway. Jhalogi tunnel and Dwara flyover near Aut, damaged by landslides last monsoon, are yet to be repaired.
