A massive landslide near Banala on the Chandigarh-Manali highway halted the traffic movement on Wednesday (21 November) rendering many vehicles stranded, The Tribune has reported.

Four-laning of the highway is being done by National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). The organisation has engaged its machinery and workforce to cut the hills and broaden the road.

As per the report, around 9.30 am, due to the deep cutting towards hillside, face of the hilltop started sliding and caused a landslide. The landslide resulted in hampering of traffic movement for hours between Mandi and Kullu.

When the traffic had been restored, after a short while, another massive landslide occurred, re-blocking the road. A huge boulder was hanging on the upper side of the road which could have proven a threat to the moving vehicles.

District administration had asked the authorities to break the boulder in order to avoid any danger to public.

Mandi deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Hitesh Lakhanpal, said, “Due to landsliding, traffic movement on the Chandigarh-Manali highway near Banala remained suspended since morning. To avoid a pile-up we have diverted traffic movement on the alternate route via Katola.”

As per the report, many tourist buses were stranded in either Kullu or Mandi as the alternate route via Katola is not able to handle movement of heavy vehicles.