Pandoh Dam

The Pandoh dam, completed in 1977 as part of the Beas Project, holds back the Beas and sends most of its flow through a system of tunnels and a channel to the Dehar power house on the Sutlej, linking the two river systems. The reservoir's still, silt-blue water is a familiar sight from the Chandigarh–Manali highway, which runs along its edge before the Aut tunnel. The dam itself is a restricted area and cannot be visited or photographed closely; the appeal is the roadside views and the surrounding steep, forested gorge.

1. The dam is on the Mandi–Kullu highway (NH-3), about 20 km north of Mandi, before the Aut tunnel.
2. Any Mandi–Kullu–Manali bus passes it; there is no dedicated stop, so viewing is from the road.
3. Nearest airport is Bhuntar, about 40 km further up the valley.

September to November for the clearest water colour; the monsoon makes the reservoir muddy and the road slide-prone.

• Photography of the dam structure and security installations is prohibited.
• There is nowhere safe to stop right at the dam — use pull-offs along the reservoir instead.
• The old highway along the water can be closed for repairs, diverting traffic through the Aut tunnel.

Individual pages for these are added as they are reviewed.