Mandi-Kullu travel time halved as Deod, Hanogi tunnels open

Deod Hanogi tunnels, Deod Tunnel, Hanogi Tunnel, Kiratpur-Manali highway, Mandi Kullu travel time, Mandi Kullu route, Nitin Gadkari tunnels, Pandoh Takoli section, NH-3 Himachal Pradesh, Kullu Manali connectivity, NHAI tunnel project, Pandoh Bypass Takoli, Leh Ladakh route In a major connectivity boost in the Himalayan region, two tunnels — Deod Tunnel (T4-01) and Hanogi Tunnel (T4-02) — on the Kiratpur-Manali four-lane highway were opened to traffic on Friday, halving the two-hour Mandi-Kullu journey.

The tunnels — a key link to Kullu-Manali and towards the higher Himalayan region, including the Leh-Ladakh route — are set to provide big relief to traffic bottlenecks between Mandi and Kullu-Manali. The Deod tunnel spans 2.8 kilometres, and Hanogi Tunnel is 650 metres long.

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, announcing the opening of the tunnels, described it as a significant transformation in connectivity on the Pandoh-Takoli section of NH-3 (formerly NH-21). “The tunnels will reduce the affected road stretch from 6 km to 3.5 km and provide relief from prolonged congestion at Jogni Mata Mandir, Deod and Hanogi,” Gadkari said on X.

The tunnels underwent safety inspections and a trial run on September 7. Initially, one tube of each twin-tube tunnel is being opened to traffic. The tunnels are linked by a 140-metre bridge near Khotinalla. Himachal Pradesh NHAI Regional Officer Col Ajay Bargoti told The Indian Express that motorists heading towards Kullu, Manali and other destinations would no longer have to negotiate the approximately six-km mountainous and winding stretch, with the affected route now reduced to around 3.5 km.

During the peak tourist season, these locations have witnessed traffic delays of one to two hours or even longer. The Deod-Hanogi tunnels are part of the Rs 4,465.94-crore four-laning project covering the 18.908-km end of the Pandoh Bypass-Takoli section.

According to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials, the project is being executed under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM). The wider Pandoh-Takoli corridor has been among the most challenging stretches of the Kiratpur-Manali highway because of steep terrain, landslides, and geological instability.

Saurabh Parashar is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, primarily responsible for the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. He is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in print media, specializing in crime, legal affairs, and investigative reporting.

Professional Background Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology (Hisar) and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla. This legal background significantly informs his reporting on complex judicial and administrative matters.

Career Path: Before joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years with The Times of India. Core Beats: His primary focus is the socio-political landscape of the hill state, with a specific emphasis on the environment, forest conservation, drug menace (specifically "Chitta"), affairs related to tribal and archaeology and the unique challenges of governance in high-altitude regions.

Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His recent reporting highlights the critical intersection of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh: 1. "Himachal’s battle against Chitta: Why the border areas are most vulnerable" (Late 2025): An investigative look at the transit routes from Punjab and the impact on local youth.

2. "Shimla ropeway clears key hurdle as 820 trees face the axe :According to the Forest Survey of India’s 2021 assessment, 47.21 percent of Shimla’s 5,131 sq km geographical area is under forest cover (Nov 17, 2025). 3. "Himachal to handover 2.7427 ha of non-forest land for Shimla Ropeway: Given the land’s non-forest nature, RTDC and the state will not require permission from MoEFCC" (Nov 18, 2025) 4.

"How the centuries-old Jodidara tradition is fading in Himachal’s Trans-Giri region: Jodidara: a form of fraternal polyandry—has long been part of Hatti tribal culture in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Uttarakhand.

It is believed to have evolved to prevent division of ancestral land and maintain unity among brothers in the harsh, mountainous terrain" (Aug 18, 2025) Legal & Agricultural Affairs "Kisan Sabha hails SC’s setting aside Himachal HC order to remove orchards from forest land" (Dec 18, 2025): Covering a major Supreme Court victory for farmers, where a High Court order to remove fruit-bearing apple orchards was overturned.

"Himachal Cabinet nod to new tourism policy; focus on home-stays in tribal areas" (Dec 11, 2025): Detailing the legislative push to decentralize tourism and bring economic benefits to Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. 3. Governance & Environment "Forest rights and development: Why Himachal is seeking more leeway from Centre" (Dec 19, 2025): Reporting on the legal hurdles faced by the state in infrastructure projects due to the Forest Conservation Act.

"Cloudbursts and resilience: How Himachal’s remote villages are building back better" (Nov 2025): Following up on the long-term rehabilitation efforts after monsoon-related disasters. Crime especially cyber crimes, crypto currency etc: crypto currency: "Agents in uniform, motivational speeches, lavish parties: How a Himachal crypto con went unnoticed:A serial conman, a ‘Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award winner', and retired policemen got together to pull off a Rs 1,740-crore fraud" (Nov 10, 2023) Signature Beats Saurabh is recognized for his tenacious reporting on the state's drug epidemic.

His deep familiarity with the topography and tribal culture of Himachal allows him to report from remote locations like Spiti, Pangi, Shillai, which are often overlooked by national media. His legal expertise makes him a primary choice for covering the Himachal Pradesh High Court...