Atal Tunnel: Significance, Timeline and Facts

Atal Tunnel is inaugurated in Himachal Pradesh. Atal Tunnel stands as the world’s longest highway tunnel. It presents a significant reduction of 46 kilometers in the distance between Manali and Leh. It is named in honor of the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

In this article, we will take a look at the overview of Atal Tunnel, a recent record that it created, its history, and much more.

Atal Tunnel – Overview

Below is an overview of Atal Tunnel.

Overview of Atal Tunnel
Location	Himachal Pradesh, India
Coordinates	32.401270°N 77.148335°E
Status	Active
Route	NH 3
Crosses	Rohtang Pass
OPERATIONS
Work begun	May 2010
Opened	4 October 2020
Operator	Border Roads Organisation
Traffic	Automotive
TECHNICAL
Length	9.02 kilometres (5.60 mi)
No. of Lanes	Two (one in each direction)
Operating Speed	40–60 km/h (25–37 mph)
Width	10 meters (33 ft)

All About Atal Tunnel

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has officially inaugurated the Atal Tunnel, recognized as the world’s longest highway tunnel, at its south portal in Manali.

• Spanning a length of 9.02 kilometers, this significant infrastructure links Manali to Lahaul-Spiti valley throughout the entire year, overcoming the historical six-month isolation due to heavy snowfall.

• Constructed with ultra-modern specifications, the tunnel is situated in the Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas, boasting an elevation of 10,000 feet above sea level.

• Strategically cutting through a mountain west of the Rohtang Pass, it notably reduces the distance between Solang Valley and Sissu, thereby enhancing regional connectivity.

Significance of Atal Tunnel

Atal Tunnel is of great strategic importance to our nation, here’s a list of some essential points for the same:

1. The tunnel makes traveling between Manali and Leh shorter by 46 kilometers, saving about 4 to 5 hours. Now, the journey from Manali to Lahaul and Spiti Valley takes just over 15 minutes.
2. It’s equipped with advanced systems like semi-transverse ventilation, SCADA-controlled firefighting, and monitoring systems for lighting.
3. All-year Connectivity: Atal Tunnel is the first step to connect Ladakh throughout the year. It can link Ladakh to Manali and Chandigarh year-round, avoiding the snow-covered Rohtang Pass in winter.
4. Strategic Significance: The tunnel is a strategic advantage for the armed forces, offering year-long connectivity to border areas. It saves time for troop and supply movements to forward posts.
5. Availability of Essentials: Daily needs like petrol and vegetables are likely to be accessible throughout the year.
6. Improved Access: PM Narendra Modi notes that farmers, horticulturalists, and youth now have easier access to Delhi and other markets. It’s a boon for farmers, ensuring their crops, like peas and potatoes, reach markets without spoiling.
7. Boost to Tourism: The tunnel boosts tourism, improving livelihoods for residents in Lahaul Valley and Ladakh.
8. Safety Features: Various safety measures are incorporated, such as emergency telephone connections every 150 meters, fire hydrants every 60 meters, CCTV cameras every 250 meters, and emergency exits every 500 meters.
9. Improved Connectivity: BSNL has set up three 4G base transceiver stations in the Atal Tunnel, providing full 4G connectivity.

Atal Tunnel – World Record

India’s Atal Tunnel is now the World’s Longest Highway Tunnel above 10,000 ft.

1. With its length of almost 9.02 kilometers, the Atal Tunnel in Rohtang has accomplished an amazing achievement! At a height of more than 10,000 feet, this tunnel connects Manali and Lahaul and has been recognized by the World Book of Records, London, as the world’s longest single-tube roadway at this altitude.
2. The receipt of a certificate from the World Book of Records attesting to this accomplishment was certified by a representative of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). In line with this declaration, the Ministry of Defence said that the Atal Tunnel has been officially recognized by the World Book of Records as the World’s Longest Highway Tunnel over 10,000 Feet.
3. Often regarded as an engineering marvel in the Himalayas, Atal Tunnel has changed the game for the Lahaul and Spiti districts by giving isolated areas safe, weather-proof access and eventually connecting them to the rest of India.
4. Located at an elevation of 9,840 feet near Manali for its south portal and 10,171 feet for its north portal at Sissu in the Lahaul Valley, the tunnel not only guarantees safe passage but also cuts the distance between Manali and Keylong by an astounding 46 kilometers, saving more than two hours of travel time.
5. The tunnel, constructed for INR 3200 crore, boasts the title of the world’s first tunnel offering 4G internet connectivity. To ensure safety, CCTV cameras are strategically placed every 60 meters, monitored through a control room. Emergency exit doors are also installed at regular intervals, approximately every 150 meters within the tunnel.

Timeline of Atal Tunnel

Date	Milestone
June 3, 2000	Project announced by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee
May 6, 2002	BRO was entrusted with the project
June 28, 2010	Sonia Gandhi lays foundation stone
June 2012	3.5 km of tunnel digging completed
October 2013	4 km of tunnel dug; portion collapses, halting progress
September 2014	4.4 km of tunnel dug (half of the planned length)
December 2016	7.6 km of tunnel digging completed; Expected completion in 2017 with opening in H2 2019
September 3, 2017	276 meters of tunnel digging remains; Tunnel to be opened for emergency services by winter
October 13, 2017	Both ends of the tunnel meet; Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman visits
November 22, 2017	Decision to allow patient transport in emergencies only; Civilians not allowed due to safety concerns
September 2018	Tunnel used for evacuation due to bad weather in Lahaul
January 2019	90% of the work completed
October 2019	100 meters of work remaining; Emergency traffic to open by October end
November 17, 2019	Bus service trial starts through the tunnel for residents of Lahaul and Spiti valleys
December 25, 2019	The official renaming of the tunnel from Rohtang to Atal Tunnel
September 2020	The project reaches 100% completion
October 3, 2020	Inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Atal Tunnel – Interesting Facts

Here are 10 interesting things that you should know about the Atal Tunnel:

• At an estimated cost of ₹3,500 crore, the 9-km Atal Tunnel has been constructed.

• The Atal Tunnel in Lahaul Spiti’s Rohtang reduces the distance between Manali and Leh by 46 km, cutting travel time by about seven hours.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is anticipated to inaugurate the tunnel by the end of September this year, as stated by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur.

• Once operational, the tunnel will offer year-round connectivity to remote border areas of Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh, which are typically cut off from the rest of the country for about six months during winters.

• The Atal Tunnel holds strategic importance and is expected to boost tourism in Lahaul-Spiti, creating employment opportunities.

• The tunnel boasts several safety features, including telephone facilities every 150 meters, fire hydrants every 60 meters, emergency exits every 500 meters, turning caverns every 2.2 km, air quality monitoring every one km, and an automatic incident detection system with CCTV cameras every 250 meters.

• In the long run, the tunnel is projected to save significant amounts in transport costs.

• The construction of the tunnel involved the use of 14,508 metric tonnes of steel, 2,37,596 metric tonnes of cement, and the excavation of 14 lakh cubic meters of soil and rocks. The drill and blast technique for excavation and the New Austrian Tunnelling method for construction were employed.

• In December of the previous year, the Union Government named the tunnel under the Rohtang Pass after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 95th birth anniversary.

• The decision to construct the strategic tunnel below the Rohtang Pass was made on June 3, 2000, during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure as Prime Minister.

Atal Tunnel – FAQs

What is the total length of the Atal Tunnel?

The 9.02 km (5.6 mi) long tunnel is presently the world’s longest single tube highway tunnel at an altitude above 3,000 m(10,000 ft).

What is special about Atal Tunnel?

Apart from the being the world’s longest single tube highway tunnel at an altitude above 3,000 m(10,000 ft), the Atal Tunnel also provides features like advanced safety measures, 4G internet connectivity, meticulous construction details and year-round connectivity.

Is it safe to go to Atal Tunnel?

Atal Tunnel provides a safe and faster alternative to the traditional route via Rohtang Pass, which remains closed during the winter months due to heavy snowfall.

Which two places does the Atal Tunnel join?

The Atal Tunnel, named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, is a critical infrastructure project that connects Manali in Himachal Pradesh to Lahaul-Spiti valley and reduces travel time to Leh.

What is the old name of Atal Tunnel?

The old name of Atal Tunnel was Rohtang Tunnel.