NHAI deploys Army’s Chinook helicopter to airlift machinery for restoration work on NH-21 in Himachal Pradesh

KULLU (Himachal Pradesh): The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has deployed the Indian Army’s Chinook helicopter to airlift its machinery necessary for restoration work on the National Highway-21 in Kullu.

The NHAI launched urgent restoration work on the Kiratpur-Pandoh-Kullu-Manali section of National Highway-21 on August 29, following severe floods, cloudbursts, and flash floods that damaged key stretches, cutting off road connectivity to the tourist town of Manali.

NHAI has undertaken the restoration work of National Highways in Himachal Pradesh on war footing. The restoration work includes twelve locations on the Kullu-Manali section that have been completely washed away and five locations that have been partially damaged by torrent… pic.twitter.com/GBI0SRKM3T

— NHAI (@NHAI_Official) September 1, 2025

According to Deputy Commissioner of Kullu, Torul S Raveesh, the NHAI is currently working across multiple sections of the NH-21 to ensure rapid restoration work. She informed that the NHAI is using the services of the army to airlift the necessary machinery to points that currently lack connectivity.

#WATCH | Kullu, Himachal Pradesh: On the army deploying the Chinook helicopter to airlift NHAI machinery for restoration, DC Kullu Torul S Raveesh says, “… NHAI is working across multiple sections to ensure rapid restoration, necessitating machinery at all points. This has led… pic.twitter.com/jC2qBKdPQA

— ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2025

“The NHAI is working across multiple sections to ensure rapid restoration, necessitating machinery at all points. This has led to the acquisition of air to enable the deployment of machinery at points currently lacking connectivity”, Torul Raveesh said.

Ten locations on the Kullu-Manali section had been “completely washed away” and five more had suffered partial damage due to “torrent rains and floods,” disrupting the main highway link, NHAI said in a release.

The alternate route maintained by the Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD) has also sustained damage, allowing only light vehicles to pass. NHAI has decided to extend financial support to HP PWD for urgent repairs and maintenance of this road, which is temporarily carrying diverted highway traffic.

“In view of the inaccessibility, temporary restoration measures are being undertaken on a war footing to restore connectivity. Adequate funds have been sanctioned to the NHAI Regional Office in Shimla, and the maintenance contractor available on site has been mobilised for immediate works,” the statement said.

The authority has also begun planning permanent restoration of multiple damaged stretches along the Kiratpur-Pandoh-Manali section. “Various options for permanent restoration are being explored, including tunnels, elevated structures, and slope stabilisation”, the press note said, adding that a detailed project report (DPR) is under preparation. For short-term rectification, NHAI has sanctioned around ₹100 crore. (ANI)