Page 11 - NIS English November 1-15

ABOUT THE TUNNEL

lThe tunnel cuts the road distance COST
between Manali and Leh by 46 In 2005, the tunnel was
kilometers and the travel time by estimated to cost about
about 4 to 5 hours Rs 900 Crore. But persistent
lAtal Tunnel is the longest delays pushed the cost to
highway tunnel in the world Rs 3,200 Crore, which was
lThe 9.02-kilometre-long more than three times the
tunnel ensures all-weather original cost estimated.
connectivity between Manali
and Lahaul-Spiti Valley. KEY SAFETY FEATURES
Earlier the Valley was cut off lEntry barriers at both Portals
for about six months every lTelephone at every 150-metre
year owing to heavy snowfall lFire hydrant mechanisms at
TO WATCH THE
VIDEO OF THE ENTIRE lThe South Portal of tunnel every 60-metre
PROGRAMME,
SCAN THE QR CODE is located at a distance of lAuto incident detection
25-kilometre from Manali at an system with CCTV cameras
altitude of 3,060 metres, while its lAir quality monitoring at every
North Portal is located near village kilometre
Teling, Sissu, in Lahaul Valley at an lEvacuation lighting/exit
altitude of 3,071 metres signs at every 25-metre
lIt is a horseshoe-shaped, single- lBroadcasting system
tube double-lane tunnel with a roadway throughout the tunnel
lFire-rated dampers at every
of 8-metre. It has an overhead clearance of 50-metre
5.525 metres lCameras at every 60-metre

The Prime Minister said that the country needs to progress Portal of the tunnel was laid on
taking care of the needs of the economically and socially, May 26, 2002. However, till the
security forces of the country adding that this needs an year 2013-14, the work was
is one of the highest priorities unflinching political will and so neglected that only 1,300
of the Government. But this, commitment for the progress metres -- less than 1.5 km -- of
too, was compromised earlier of the Nation. the tunnel could be built.
and interests of the country's The breakthrough from both
defence forces were at risk. Atal JOURNEY OF THE TUNNEL ends was achieved on October
Tunnel will give new strength The decision to built a 15, 2017. On December 24,
to India's border infrastructure strategic tunnel below the 2019, on the eve of the birth
and be a living proof of world- Rohtang Pass was taken on anniversary of former Prime
class border connectivity. June 03, 2000, when late Atal Minister Vajpayee, the Union
The Prime Minister said Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Cabinet decided to name the
infrastructure should be Minister. The foundation stone Rohtang Tunnel as Atal Tunnel
developed at a fast pace as for the access road to the South to honour his contribution.

New India Samachar 9