Manali: The 9.02 Km long world’s longest Highway tunnel – Atal Tunnel connecting Manali to Lahaul-Spiti valley was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi here today.
Built with ultra-modern specifications in the Pir Panjal range of Himalayas at an altitude of 3000 metres (10,000 Feet) from the Mean Sea Level (MSL), the tunnel reduces the road distance by 46 Kms between Manali and Leh and the time by about 4 to 5 hours. It has state of the art electromechanical systems including semi transverse ventilation, SCADA controlled fire fighting, illumination and monitoring systems. The Tunnel has ample safety features built into it.
Modi travelled in the tunnel from the south portal to the north portal and also visited the emergency egress tunnel that was built into the main tunnel itself. He also witnessed a pictorial exhibition on “The Making of Atal Tunnel” on the occasion.
Watch video:
(Video courtesy Facebook wall of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur)
In his address, the Prime Minister termed the day as historic as Atal Tunnel would now be a lifeline for a large part of Himachal Pradesh as well as the Union Territory of Leh-Ladakh and would reduce the distance between Manali and Keylong by 3-4 hours.
He added that now parts of Himachal Pradesh and Leh-Ladakh will always be connected with the rest of the country and would not only witness speedier economic progress, but such border connectivity projects will also aid the security forces in ensuring regular supplies to them and also in their patrolling. Earlier the valley was cut off for about 6 months each year owing to heavy snowfall.
He said farmers, horticulturalists and youth will now also have easy access to Delhi and other markets.
It may be mentioned that late Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had laid the foundation of the approach road for this tunnel in 2002. Modi said after Atal’s government, the work was so neglected that only 1300 metres that was less than 1.5 Kms of tunnel could be built till 2013-14 at the rate of only about 300 metres each year.
“Experts then explained that if it continued at that pace then the tunnel would be completed only in 2040,” he said, and pointed out that in 2005, while the estimated cost for the construction of the tunnel was about Rs. 900 crores, due to continuous delays, today it could be completed after spending more than 3 times of that cost — Rs. 3200 crore rupees.
– globalbihari bureau
