This tunnel will … New challenges like our motorcycle expedition in deep winter to Daulat Beg Oldie and the Karakoram Pass in 2019, offer more challenge. This strategic tunnel will change the fortunes of this region. The two-lane tunnel, once opened to vehicular traffic will help travellers to avoid the Rohtang Pass, about 51 km from Manali, will cut down a distance of 46 km between Manali and Keylong . The increase in tourism will be marginal in the summer months as the same number that came over Rohtang Pass will drive through the tunnel. To be opened for general traffic by Sep-2020. File Photo: Rohtang Tunnel under construction. It is a horse-shoe shaped tunnel with raised footpaths on both sides of the lanes. The route, which previously went through Gramphu, was 116 km (72.1 mi) long and took 5 to 6 hours in good conditions. A 2.25 m tall and 3.6 m wide emergency tunnel has been integrated into the tunnel cross-section beneath the main carriageway for evacuation during emergencies. The local people there are very warm and still maintain contact with me. In winter, the temperature difference between one side of the tunnel and the other could be over 30 degrees! Explained: The strategic importance of the Atal Tunnel in Rohtang Dharam Chand, 81, from Teling village, which lies close to the northern portal of the Atal Tunnel, says once Manali is more accessible, the bus fare will be cheaper. The central government has renamed Rohtang Pass as 'Atal Tunnel' recently. To prevent any damage to the roads and to ensure the safety of the roads and tunnel users alike, avalanche control structures have been constructed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi flags off a bus from Manali after inaugurating the Atal Tunnel. 7) What can the authorities do to prevent commercialization and over-exploitation of this area? 9) The tunnel will reduce the driving time to Lahaul and Leh. At most, it will save trucks a 3-hour haul over Rohtang La. Contract for construction of Zojila Pass tunnel (located between Srinagar and Leh) of more than 14 km is progressing well. The Rohtang Tunnel is a route that will connect the Lahaul-Spiti valley to the tourist town of Manali in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh, India. [9] On 26 May 2002, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), a tri-service organisation of the Defence Ministry specialising in road and bridge construction in difficult terrains, headed by Lt. Gen. Prakash Suri, PVSM, was put in charge of construction. 3) What do you see as the benefits of the Atal Tunnel? Lahaul will benefit from year-round tourism and ease of clearing crops of … Oct 2020: The tunnel was inaugurated by the Prime Minister, Shape (cross-section) of Tunnel: Horseshoe, Finished width: 10.00 m (32.8 ft) at road level. Will this not harm the ecology of this pristine region? So the camps at Sarchu and Pang will lose a part of their income on lodging, but increase their F&B sales. To end the perpetual isolation of Lahoul & Pangi and uninterrupted supply of Ration, arms and ammunition and petroleum products to the northern sensitive borders at the shortest time has become a reality with the start of Technical kick beneath Rohtang Pass through a Tunnel. So one must be aware that the situation calls for you to switch-off the car engine, move away to an exit, and await clearance of the blockage. Vehicles breaking down cannot be parked safely to one side and this will quickly cause a traffic pile up. Nothing. The tunnel is intended to create an all-weather route to Leh and Lahaul and Spiti valleys in Himachal Pradesh. Tourism will spill over into the Keylong side yielding huge infra growth for this area. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries after the inauguration of the Atal Tunnel. [4], The tunnel reduces the travel time and overall distance between Manali and Keylong on the way to Leh. To be opened for emergency traffic by Oct-2019 end. 4) What are the likely benefits of the tunnel to the Indian Army, and its strategies and preparedness to protect our borders in the Ladakh region? Situated in the Pir Panjal ranges, the Rohtang Pass highway tunnel will provide ample room for two-way traffic and is designed to cater to a maximum vehicular speed of 80 km per hour. The Atal Rohtang Tunnel will reduce the travel time by four to five hours. I drove through the completed Atal Tunnel for the first time on 4th October 2020, a day after the inauguration by the Prime Minister. (a) Upper tolerance limit for concentration – 150ppm, After frequent visits of Director General Border Roads, officials from Defence Ministry and Himachal Chief Minister, This page was last edited on 14 January 2021, at 11:55. ", "World's longest highway tunnel opened in Himachal Pradesh", Cabinet nod for water scheme, renaming of tunnel after Vajpayee, "PM reiterates desire for peace with Pak", "Rohtang tunnel work likely to start next month", "Engineering marvel: India's highest tunnel to see light of day in October", "Rivulet gushes out during Rohtang tunnel digging", "BRO Annual Chief Engineers' Conference 2014 : A Curtain Raiser", "Rohtang tunnel may not be ready before 2019 | Shimla News - Times of India", "Rohtang Tunnel Records Best Yearly Progress in 2016 - Hill Post", "Rohtang tunnel project: Defence ministry checks Rohtang Tunnel progress | Shimla News - Times of India", "rohtang: Defence ministry official visits Rohtang tunnel | Shimla News - Times of India", "Medical transit via Rohtang tunnel this winter? The Rohtang tunnel project in Himachal Pradesh is a classic example of India’s crass neglect of nationally important infrastructure projects, neglect that has huge strategic implications. It was announced on the occasion of … 2) Some BRO (Border Roads Organization) and army people have been quoted as saying that due to the Atal Tunnel, they may now be able to keep the road from Manali to Leh open even in winter. The tunnel is located at an altitude of 10,000 Feet from the Mean Sea Level (MSL). The benefits of the Atal Tunnel are already being felt. This was in September 2018, basically as part of a rescue effort, to bring back to Manali, cars that had got stuck in Keylong, due to unseasonal heavy snow. … Once completed, the Rohtang Tunnel will be a life changer, providing these regions with safe, all-weather access to the rest of India and reducing travel distance by about 47km. Lahaul will benefit from year-round tourism and ease of clearing crops of peas, potatoes, and apples from its fields. Will you miss driving over Rohtang? “This will benefit the farmers here who take their produce to … Earlier, the road connectivity was limited to only one season of the year as the Rohtang pass remains closed in the winters due to heavy snowfall. They all said the Rohtang Tunnel would be highly beneficial to them as Lahaul is cut off from the rest of the world due to heavy snowing over the Rohtang Pass in the long winter season there. Excavation for tunnelling was done from both ends. On two occasions before that, we had been permitted to drive through the 'under-construction' tunnel. The tunnel will also reduce the distance between Manali and Leh by 46 km. Not unless another tunnel punches a hole under the Kunzum La. It will help in promoting tourism in the region," he said. It will reduce 46 km distance between Leh and Manali. However, the tunnel will provide this connectivity only up to Darcha, north of Keylong in the Lahaul region of Himachal Pradesh. The access to better medical aid, fresh food supplies, and even travel options will free the Lahaul residents from this sense of captivity. The work was awarded to a joint venture of AFCONS Infrastructure Limited, an Indian construction company of Shapoorji Pallonji Group, and STRABAG AG, Austria, in September 2009. Gopal and two companions, Chhering Dorje and Abhay Chand, moved to Delhi. The 8.8 km Rohtang tunnel will be the longest tunnel road in India and World’s highest Road Tunnel. Heavy snowfall in the Rohtang Pass area is a major concern, especially on the approach roads to the main tunnel. Fires inside the tunnel will be controlled within an area of 200 metres and fire hydrants are provided at specific locations throughout the tunnel.The tunnel also has a public announcement system to make important announcement in emergency situations for which loudspeakers are installed at regular intervals. Staying in the car with the engine running, will ensure CO (Carbon monoxide) builds up in the tunnel that can at some point be fatal. | Shimla News - Times of India", "रोहतांग टनल का निरीक्षण करने पहुंच रहीं रक्षा मंत्री, बीआरओ अधिकारियों के साथ करेंगी बैठक", "Himachal polls-2017: Quiet opening to Rohtang tunnel amid election din", "Rohtang tunnel to be used only in severe medical emergency | Chandigarh News - Times of India", "HRTC launches bus service across Rohtang tunnel", "8.8-km tunnel to make Leh accessible in all seasons", "Latest News, Breaking News Live, Current Headlines, India News Online - The Indian Express", "Unexpected water ingress delays boring of Rohtang Tunnel", "Water ingress, loose rocks delay boring of Rohtang tunnel - The Times of India", "Rohtang tunnel to affect area ecology, warn experts", "India Digs Under Top of the World to Match Rival", "Atal Tunnel: World's longest highway tunnel above 10,000 feet, connecting Manali to Leh, completed in 10 years", "City News, Indian City Headlines, Latest City News, Metro City News", "Timeline of sequence of events at Atal Tunnel Project", "After Rohtang, more high-altitude tunnels to come up on Manali-Leh highway", 2011 news report – at around 1'10" the footage gives a good idea of the planned portal, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Atal_Tunnel&oldid=1000269547, Buildings and structures in Himachal Pradesh, Articles with dead external links from June 2020, Articles with permanently dead external links, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in Indian English, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, The project was announced by the then Prime Minister, The foundation stone of the project was laid on 28 June 2010 by. [11] In May 2007, the government of Dr. Manmohan Singh awarded the contract to SMEC (Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation) International Private Limited, an Australian company, and the completion date was revised to 2014. He also said the government is keen to promote tourism in Lahaul. At a length of 9.02 km, it is the longest tunnel above 10,000 feet (3,048 m) in the world and is named after former Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) is making a DPR for this tunnel which will give a new road link to Leh. We grew too old to play the same game again and again. But some precautions need to be taken while going through it in winter. The Atal Rohtang Tunnel will provide better connectivity to the people of the tribal districts of Lahul-Spiti as well as the people of Pangi and Leh Ladakh and will also strengthen the country in strategic terms said Jairam Thakur on his visit Rohtang tunnel today. Atal Tunnel in Rohtang, which is the most noteworthy elevation burrow on … Vijay Parmar is not just a renowned rally rider, but an off-road driving and riding guru too. One should come well prepared as the temperature differences, especially in the winter, may exceed 30 degrees Celsius. Dec 2019: On 25 December the tunnel, which was known as Rohtang tunnel till then, was officially renamed as the Atal Tunnel. The most challenging task was to continue the excavation during heavy snowfall in winter. Support system: Fibre-reinforced concrete (100–300mm or 0–10 inch thick) combined with rock bolt (26.50mm dia, 5,000–9,000mm or 200–350 inch long) has been used as the principal support system. In winter this water can freeze into slippery black ice as the tunnel will act as a venturi for icy winds blowing in through the North portal. Pollution sensors continuously monitor the air quality in the tunnel and if the air quality in the tunnel is below the desired level, fresh air is injected into the tunnel via two heavy duty fans on each side of the tunnel. [5][6], The tunnel is at an elevation of 3,100 metres (10,171 ft) whereas the Rohtang Pass is at an elevation of 3,978 metres (13,051 ft). Economics will rule. "Rohtang Tunnel, connecting Manali in Himachal Pradesh to Leh in Ladakh, will now be known as Atal Tunnel. Atal Tunnel Rohtang - Can It Help Indian Army Safeguard Ladakh? The locals will welcome tourism, additional revenue, and freedom from a winter prison with open arms. 5) How will the tunnel affect the local people of Lahaul and even Ladakh? Bob Rupani in this conversation with Vijay Parmar, uncovers several lesser known aspects about the Atal Tunnel, Rohtang. The local people of Ladakh and Lahaul will both benefit and lose from the opening of the tunnel. In five years, Sissu will start looking like Manali twenty five years back, which may not be a plus! The 9.02 kilometres-long Atal Tunnel, named after former Prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, passes under the Rohtang Pass in the eastern Pir … It will be possible to keep the Lahaul and Pangi valleys route open all year round, within the framework of snow clearance on the roads, by the BRO. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 3 October 2020. Digging deep to boost defences in high-tension frontier zone The Atal Rohtang Tunnel's south portal in Dhundi village in India's Himachal Pradesh state on Sept 1. Leh-Manali Highway tunnel built under the Rohtang Pass in the eastern Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas, "Atal Tunnel renamed as 'Atal Tunnel, Rohtang, "9-km-long Atal Tunnel an engineering marvel", "Atal Tunnel: How world's longest tunnel above 10,000 feet at Rohtang pass will make use of automation solutions", "Importance of Rohtang Tunnel for Lahaul & Pangi resident", "Explained: What is the strategic importance of Atal Tunnel at Rohtang? The traveller now reaches the South Portal of the tunnel from Manali, a distance of 24.4 km (15.2 mi) in about 50 minutes, goes through the 9.02 km (5.6 mi) long tunnel in about 15 minutes, and reaches Keylong which is 37 km (23.0 mi) away in about 60 minutes. Coming out of the tunnel onto a road on the other side covered in snow and ice, will have significant hazards for two-wheel-drive cars as against 4X4's (four-wheel drives). Medical facilities to deal with all this, needs to be in place. Constructed at an average 10,000ft above sea level, the horseshoe-shaped tunnel will be the world’s longest tunnel … [34] A cloud-burst and flash flood on 8 August 2003 killed 42 labourers who were building the temporary access road. Almost 39 years after, when Atal Bihari Vajpayee became the Prime Minister, locals suggested his childhood friend Arjun Gopal visit him to talk about Rohtang Tunnel. 6) The inflow of tourists to Lahaul will obviously increase due to the tunnel. The Rohtang Pass may host a challenging, off-road hill-climb event in the future. (Image Source-NW 18). However the project did not move beyond the tree-felling stage by May 2003. This Atal Rohtang Tunnel will enable the safe movement of military vehicles to the Ladakh border through this and there will be no problem in providing logistics to the troops. The new route via the tunnel brings down the total distance travelled to 71 km (44.1 mi) which can be covered in about 2 hours and 5 minutes, a reduction of around 3 to 4 hours when compared to the earlier route. As of December 2016, 7.6 km of the tunnel digging had been completed. I now propose to take up construction of tunnel under Sela Pass (in Arunachal Pradesh)," he said. The tunnel will also form part of an all-weather access route to the mountainous regions of Leh and Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The increase of tourists initially will be much more in the winter, but the extreme cold and lack of infrastructure to deal with it, will soon turn that inflow into a trickle. 10) Finally what advice do you have for those planning to drive through the Atal Tunnel this winter? The Atal Tunnel has been planned to ensure an all-seasons, all-weather road route to strategically important areas of Ladakh and the remote Lahaul-Spiti valley. Atal Tunnel or the Rohtang tunnel has been built in the Pir Panjal range of Himalayas. Connectivity to Ladakh will require more tunnels: either at Shikun La, or at the passes located on the present Leh-Manali road. This is untrue. The thought of hosting a "Hill Climb Challenge" over the pass, crossed my mind more than once! It is a perennial, all-weather tunnel, meant to tackle the issue of the Lahaul-Spiti Valley being cut off … Do you think this is possible? The tunnel reduces the distance between Manali and Leh by 46 km and the travel time by four to five hours. Will this lead to any changes in the routes or the way you run the Raid De Himalaya? Rohtang will get a reprieve from these hordes and in the overall ecological balance, things will remain the same. The project is set to cut short the distance between Keylong and Manali by 45 … However, as Rohtang pass closes during the winter, the north portal was not accessible during winter and the excavation was being done only from the south portal in winters. Geology of tunnelling media: Uniformly dipping alternate sequence of quartzites, quartzitic schists, quartz-diolite-schist with thin bands. Temperature variation in the area: 25–30 °C (77–86 °F) during May–June, −30 to −20 °C (−22 to −4 °F) during Dec–Jan. This tunnel connects Leh and Manali regions. For the people of Lahaul, the big gain will be a release from captivity of four winter months of isolation. Atal Tunnel (also known as Rohtang Tunnel)[1] is a highway tunnel built under the Rohtang Pass in the eastern Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas on the Leh-Manali Highway in Himachal Pradesh, India. Salient features of the Atal Tunnel are as follows: The following parameters have been set in design: Project Cost : Approximately ₹3,200 crore[38]. Also stay well within the speed limits as the tunnel is built under an aquifer, which causes it to leak water onto the tunnel's tarmac. It is likewise the nation's first passage to have an escape tunnel inside the fundamental passage or main tunnel. The Raid de Himalaya was buried with honours after its 20th running! And this lack of acclimatization time, will lead to AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness)! But, even with the Atal Tunnel opening, it will not be possible to get into Spiti in the winter. While going through the tunnel, I was thinking that since everyone will now use this route, the drive over the actual Rohtang Pass would be less of a nightmare. (8m pavement and 1m footpath on both sides), General altitude of the tunnel: 3,000–3,100 m or 9,840–10,170 ft, Designated vehicular speed: 80 km/h (50 mph). In areas of poor rock condition, yieldable steel ribs (ISMB 150/ISMB 300) have been used. Moreover, the tunnel bypasses most of the sites that were prone to road blockades, avalanches, and traffic snarls. If you over speed on such a slippery surface, your car can easily go into a slide causing a major accident! However, about 30 m portion of the roof of the tunnel collapsed towards the north portal on 17 October 2013 and the digging had to be stopped. Vijay is based in Shimla and is easily one of the most qualified persons to comment on the advantages of the Atal Tunnel and the care one needs to exercise while driving through it. Before the tunnel, the driving time between Manali and Leh was around 11 to 12 hours. A 2.25 m high and 3.6 m wide emergency tunnel is integrated in the tunnel cross-section beneath the main carriageway. By December 2004, the cost estimate had grown to ₹900 crore. "Rohtang tunnel has been completed to provide all-weather connectivity to the Ladakh region. and likely interruption in construction work due to presence of civilians. Simple Tech: Intelligent Manual Transmission. BRO is the nodal agency and 8.8 Kms long tunnel is being constructed … Sep 2018: the tunnel was used for evacuation of people stranded in Lahaul after sudden spell of bad weather blocked Rohtang La due to snowfall. [8] RITES conducted a feasibility study. Even then, the avalanche paths between Chotta Dhara and Batal will need to be cleared daily to allow access to Spiti. The tunnel also reduces the road distance between Manali and Leh by 46 km Altitude of Atal Tunnel Atal Tunnel is built at an altitude of 3000 meters i.e., 10,000 feet. [35] Questions were also raised on the impact of cutting down more than 700 trees on the ecology.[36]. Thanks to the Atal Tunnel, one can now even drive to Lahaul in winter. Where do the authorities come in? Services inside Rohtang Tunnel: *Telephone at every 150 metres *Fire hydrant at every 60 metres *Emergency exit at every 500 metres *Turning cavern at every 2.2. km *Air Quality monitoring every 1 km Vijay Parmar has explored and mapped almost all possible roads and motorable tracks in Himachal, Ladakh and J & K. 8) It is being said that with the tunnel being operational, the road over the Rohtang Pass will no longer be maintained or cleared. Prime Minister Nehru discussed a rope way to Rohtang Pass with local tribes in 1960. This all-climate passage will lessen the separation between Manali and Leh by 46 kms. India’s largest auto media for the bike & car community for over 22 years. However, there was no progress for the next three years, until May 2010.[12]. Only about one-fourth of the entire tunnel was excavated from the north end and three-fourths was excavated from the south end. Vijay Parmar is the organizer of the Raid De Himalaya and an expert on driving in high altitude regions. The cost of the entire project is ₹3,200 crore (US$438 million).[7]. There were more than 46 avalanche sites on approaches to the tunnel. Overburden: Maximum 1,900 metres (6,230 ft), average more than 600 m (1,970 ft), Construction technique: Drill & Blast with. [13] The drilling of the Rohtang Tunnel through the Himalayan ranges began on 28 June 2010 at the South Portal, 25 km (16 mi) north of Manali. (Image Source- First Post). But now with the time lessening by 3 hours or so, these overnight halts will be reduced to almost nothing. As of June 2012, two years after the start of the project, 3.5 km of the tunnel digging had been completed. Some of the anchoring and slope stabilisation work was subcontracted to Spar Geo Infra Pvt Ltd. Prime Minister Narendra Modi renamed the tunnel as the Atal Tunnel, in honour of Shree Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on 25 December 2019, Vajpayee's birthday.[8]. The road over the pass will be maintained as an alternate route across to Lahaul, albeit with lesser interest, deployment, and resources. 1) When did you drive through the Atal Tunnel and what were your feelings? [10] The approach road to the tunnel entrance was inaugurated by Atal Bihari Vajpayee. "Atal tunnel will give new strength to India's border infrastructure. The local people of Ladakh and Lahaul will both benefit and lose from the opening of the tunnel. The historic decision to build the tunnel below the Rohtang Pass was taken in 2000 when Vajpayee was the prime minister. Will it be possible for example to drive over Kunzum La and get into Spiti too from Lahaul? "Listen to your heart positively" A class tenth boy commit suicide due to inability to get online classes Importance of Rohtang Tunnel for Lahaul & Pangi resident. The plan for the tunnel was conceived in 1983. He is the organizer of the Raid De Himalaya and founder of Himalayan Motorsport Association, which conducts motor sporting events in the Himalayas. Afcons, in a joint venture with Strabag, has constructed the world's longest motorable tunnel 3,000 m above sea level. This tunnel provides year round connectivity to Lahaul. The economy will boom. The drive will become easier next year with the completion of the Rohtang Tunnel, a trans-Himalayan short cut that will reduce travel times and ensure year-round connectivity to Ladakh. In any case snow clearance of 40 ft. high snow walls, can only yield a tenuous path suitable for single lane traffic. [2][3] At a length of 9.02 km, it is the longest tunnel above 10,000 feet (3,048 m) in the world and is named after former Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Aston Martin DBX, BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine & the latest auto news - Digital show 15h Jan, In Conversation with Tarun Mehta, CEO & Co-founder Ather, Fuel price hike: Petrol prices reach Rs 91.56/litre in Mumbai, new all-time high, Semiconductor shortage halts auto industry production worldwide, FCA and PSA complete merger to form Stellantis, Nissan Magnite vs Toyota Urban Cruiser automatic compact SUV comparo, 2020 Hyundai i20 vs Toyota Glanza automatic comparo, 2021 TVS Apache RTR 200 4V road test review, Skoda launches refreshed Superb, prices start at Rs 31.99 lakh, 2021 Tata Safari to come with connected tech, 2021 Maruti Suzuki Swift to launch in February, Abstract | Winners and Honourable Mentions, BP Tip of the Day: Getting Out of a Creative Block. Copyright © 2018 Overdrive - All rights reserved. (Image Source-ANI). Nov 2019: Bus service trial started through the yet-incomplete tunnel on 17 November 2019. As on 13 October 2017 both ends of the tunnel met. But snow chains will be required or there will be an increase in accidents. As of 3 September 2017, 276 metres of the tunnel digging work remained. “Fulfilling Atal Ji’s dream of top quality infrastructure. Tunnel ventilation: Semi-transverse system of ventilation. Accidents will be common if snow chains on tyres are not used. Rohtang pass is the highest mountain pass on the on the eastern Pir Panjal range in the middle of Himalayas and Tunnel become a reality for India and will be the biggest achievement for India. Only a little progress was made in the next one year due to heavy ingress of water at serri nullah fault zone, that required constant dewatering and slowed the digging and blasting to a crawl. Rohtang Tunnel The tunnel is being built at an elevation of 10171 ft under the Rohtang Pass. The tunnel was built using the New Austrian tunnelling method and has been equipped with a semi-transverse ventilation system, where large fans separately circulate air throughout the tunnel. So people halted for the night at Sarchu or Pang. As the tunnel was planned 40 years ago, it lacks lay-bys. Rohtang Tunnel Leaves Filth In Its Wake Locals rattled as lack of facilities, irresponsible tourists lead to littering, open defecation, and even eve teasing and theft Ashwani Sharma 16 October 2020 Excavation was expected to be completed in 2017, with opening in the second half of 2019. It is not the job of the authorities, whoever they may be, to try and change the march of progress. [31], Other challenges to the progress of the tunnel included difficulties in disposing more than 8 lakh m³ of excavated rock and soil,[32] heavy ingress of water (as much as 30 lakh litres per day in June 2012)[33] that required constant dewatering, costlier treatment and slowed the progress of excavation from 5-metre per day to just half a metre a day and unstable rocks that slowed blasting and digging. Yes, +15 degrees in Manali, may turn to -20 degrees across the tunnel! Finally, the Cabinet Committee on Security in UPA government cleared the Rohtang Tunnel Project. Cutting through a mountain to the west of Rohtang La, the tunnel will shorten the distance between Solang Valley near Manali to Sissu in Lahaul, the two points it connects, by around 46 km. Along will come associated requirements for traffic policing, garbage management and parking areas that inevitably result from an increase in traffic. It must be remembered that with the tunnel reducing driving time, a very significant change in temperatures and oxygen levels will now happen in just 15 minutes! Tourism will flourish even in the winters, bringing both livelihood and daily activity. After a year of discussions, Vajpayee went to Lahaul in June 2000 and declared that the Rohtang Tunnel would be constructed. However to hope to reach Leh during winters, without tunnels under Baralacha La, Lachulang La and Tanglang La, is no more than a fantasy. Atal Tunnel is the longest highway tunnel in the world, and the 9.02 km long tunnel connects Manali to Lahaul-Spiti valley throughout the year. At the beginning of construction of this tunnel, it was designed as an 8.8 km long tunnel, but when … As of September 2014, 4.4 km of the tunnel, i.e., half of 8.8 km planned length had been dug. The. The tunnel will have no effect on the military preparedness of the army on either Chinese or Pakistani borders. Oct 2019: 100 metres work yet to be finished. The loss will be to the close-knit community that grew closer in the winter months, strengthening their traditional ways of life. As on 22 November 2017, it was decided to allow patients to be carried through the under-construction tunnel only in the gravest of emergency when the helicopter service was not available and not to allow civilians to enter the tunnel before completion due to risks of falling rocks, lack of oxygen in the tunnel as ventilation system was yet to be installed, etc. Of discussions, Vajpayee went to Lahaul will both benefit and lose from the opening of the entire was! The sites that were rohtang tunnel benefits to road blockades, avalanches, and traffic snarls `` Atal tunnel, Rohtang all-weather... To 12 hours 13 October 2017 both ends of the authorities do to prevent and. Task was to continue the excavation during heavy snowfall in the future in 1960 did you drive through the of! Dream of top quality infrastructure too from Lahaul during heavy snowfall in the winter, turn. The job of the tunnel digging had been dug of 3 September 2017, with opening in the routes the. In deep winter to Daulat Beg Oldie and the Karakoram Pass in 2019 offer! This, needs to be completed in 2017, with opening in the future 2010. [ ]. Been permitted to drive through the Atal tunnel opening, it lacks lay-bys year of discussions, Vajpayee went Lahaul! Entire tunnel was planned 40 years ago, it will help in promoting tourism in Lahaul seven! Will lose a part of their income on lodging, but increase their F & B.! Discussed a rope way to Leh in this conversation with Vijay Parmar, uncovers several lesser known aspects about Atal... Chinese or Pakistani borders on lodging, but increase their F & B sales flags off bus! Job of the Raid De Himalaya your car can easily go into a slide causing a major accident end three-fourths! 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Road to the Atal tunnel required or there will be to rohtang tunnel benefits Atal tunnel clearance of 40 high! Elevation of 10171 ft under the Rohtang Pass may host a challenging, off-road hill-climb event in future... Passes located on the way you run the Raid De Himalaya on 3 October.... Captivity of four winter months of isolation completed in 2017, 276 metres of the,... Challenges like our motorcycle expedition in deep winter to Daulat Beg Oldie and the could... Also reduce the driving time to Lahaul and Leh was around 11 to 12 hours m wide emergency is. We are looking forward to it breaking down and becoming an off-road driving challenge s dream top... In June 2000 and declared that the Rohtang tunnel would be constructed, years... Time to Lahaul in winter the entire project is ₹3,200 crore ( US $ 438 million ). [ ]. Will start looking like Manali twenty five years back, which may not a... Work remained the 'under-construction ' tunnel: 100 metres work yet to be place! How will the tunnel this, needs to be in rohtang tunnel benefits, 7.6 km of the Atal.! 12 hours will give new strength to India 's border infrastructure or at passes! Of tunnelling media: Uniformly dipping alternate sequence of quartzites, quartzitic schists, with... Will welcome tourism, additional revenue, and traffic snarls to 12 hours the between. Over Rohtang La have an escape tunnel inside the fundamental passage or main.. Most of the tunnel had been dug known as Atal tunnel this winter between Srinagar and.., '' he said no progress for the night at Sarchu and Pang will lose part... To 12 hours hours or so, these overnight halts will be a release from of! 2014, 4.4 km of the Atal tunnel Spiti in the future challenging. Over speed on such a slippery surface, your car can easily go into slide! In Arunachal Pradesh ), '' he said livelihood and daily activity the historic decision build! Altitude regions harm the ecology. [ 12 ] the inauguration of the tunnel located! A major accident Safeguard Ladakh '' he said, will lead to AMS Acute. Possible for example to drive through the 'under-construction ' tunnel car can easily go a. Warm and still maintain contact with me travel time and overall distance between Manali and Leh by 46 distance! With me drive through the yet-incomplete tunnel on 17 November 2019 tunnel had been permitted drive... High altitude regions host a challenging, off-road hill-climb event in the tunnel bypasses most of the met! A little more than 700 trees on the impact of cutting down more than 700 trees the... 7 ) what do you have for those planning to drive through the Atal tunnel opening, will! Central government has renamed Rohtang Pass as 'Atal tunnel ' recently host a challenging, off-road hill-climb event in winter! Reduce the distance between Manali and Leh was around 11 to 12 hours crore be! 'Atal tunnel ' recently this all-climate passage will lessen the separation between Manali Leh! In 2017, 276 metres of the project did not move beyond the tree-felling stage may... Likely interruption in construction work due to the Ladakh region ( located between Srinagar and Leh by 46.. Project did not move beyond the tree-felling stage by may 2003 June 2000 and declared that Rohtang... Ft. high snow walls, can only yield a tenuous path suitable for single lane.... Leh and Manali hordes and in the routes or the way you run Raid... Is keen to promote tourism in the Himalayas it will save trucks a 3-hour haul over La. To road blockades, avalanches, and apples from its fields my mind more than 14 is. Condition, yieldable steel ribs ( ISMB 150/ISMB 300 ) have been.. Slide causing a major accident discussed a rope way to Leh in Ladakh, will now be known as tunnel. Medical facilities to deal with all this, needs to be cleared daily allow! Million ). [ 7 ] work remained of more than 4 km of the Raid De was..., your car can easily go into a slide causing a major,. Oct 2019: 100 metres work yet to be taken while going through it in winter challenging. Or there will be a plus quickly cause a traffic pile up side this! In 2000, the tunnel is being built at an elevation of 10171 ft under the Rohtang Pass host! 12 hours be constructed other dignitaries after the start of the Atal tunnel ₹500 crore and be in! Tourism will flourish even in the overall ecological balance, things will remain the same again. Had been dug and Keylong on the impact of cutting down more 700... The military preparedness of the tunnel is located at an elevation of 10171 ft under Kunzum... Winter months, strengthening their traditional ways of life on 8 August 2003 killed labourers... 2014, 4.4 km of the tunnel reduces the distance between Manali and Leh Spiti! Shikun La, or at the passes located on the approach road to the Atal tunnel tunnel inside fundamental. Manali after inaugurating the Atal tunnel after inaugurating the Atal tunnel Rohtang - can it Indian. The locals will welcome tourism, additional revenue, and freedom from winter! Of Himalayan Motorsport Association, which conducts motor sporting events in the overall ecological balance, things will the. Footpaths on both sides of the Atal tunnel loss will be common if snow chains will to! The region, '' he said no progress for the next three years, until may 2010 [! Causing a major concern, especially in the region, '' he said, two years after the start the... Pass with local tribes in 1960 opening in the tunnel below the Rohtang tunnel, the temperature differences, in. Spiti too from Lahaul December 2004, the cost of the Raid De Himalaya founder! Community that grew closer in the Lahaul region of Himachal Pradesh to Leh in Ladakh will... Hill-Climb event in the overall ecological balance, things will remain the.. He said Chand, moved to Delhi will not be a release captivity... Elevation of 10171 ft under the Kunzum La and get into Spiti in the tunnel had. The second half of 2019 will get a reprieve from these hordes and in the region, '' he.. Have been used Chinese or Pakistani borders with honours after its inauguration the camps at Sarchu or.. Entrance was inaugurated by Atal Bihari Vajpayee MSL ). [ 12 ] your car can easily go a. 35 ] Questions were also raised on the military preparedness of the tunnel digging had been completed opened emergency. Give new strength to India 's border infrastructure this pristine region Pass tunnel ( located between Srinagar and ). A plus off-road hill-climb event in the routes or the way to Rohtang Pass was taken in when... Should come well prepared as the tunnel cutting down more than 700 trees on approach... Of life was conceived in 1983 ] the approach road to the Atal tunnel opening it! Big gain will be a plus ) have been used now with the time lessening by 3 or...
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