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The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) completed its excavating work on the Kiratpur-Manali highway, connecting both portals of the 1,300 m Nerchowk-Mandi-Pandoh bypass tunnel from Chadyana village to Malori. This tunnel would reroute traffic from Nerchowk to Manali, barely 4 km before passing through Mandi town. The tunnel's construction began in March 2020. In the presence of NHAI regional officer Abdul Vashid and project director Varun Chari, a breakthrough was accomplished. The officials praised the workers and engineers for finishing the project on schedule. Now, another 600 m tunnel is being built in the area. Varun Chari said that the tunnel would significantly lessen the traffic congestion in Mandi town in the coming days. He said that they have opted to use the leaking water from the tunnel for drinking purposes, which is a first in the state. Chari said that the construction of the Kiratpur-Nerchowk-Manali four-lane is progressing quickly, with the government's deadline for completion set for December. In March, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari told the media that the 48 km Kiratpur-Nerchowk four-lane project, connecting Manali to the Sutlej through five tunnels and 22 bridges, would be finished by December. The Union Minister said that this project will reduce the time it takes to travel from Kiratpur to Kullu by four hours. It will increase tourism and bring people prosperity. Gadkari told the media that road construction is the government's primary priority under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. NHAI was granted this road project in 2012. Although, it was never completed due to the poor pace of development. Image Source Also read: DPR for Mughal road tunnel to be completed soon