World’s longest tunnel above 10000 ft–Atal Tunnel–inaugurated in Himachal Pradesh

Atal Tunnel was finally inaugurated by Indian PM Narendra Modi on Saturday morning to enable travellers to reach from Manali to Ladakh throughout the year. In addition, the tunnel is also meant to cut down travel time between the two destinations by 4-5 hours and distance by 46 km.

Measuring 9 km, the Atal Tunnel is the longest highway tunnel above 10000 ft in the world, and it has been named after one of India’s former PM, late Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee. According to the reports, the speed limit for cars passing through tunnel has been restricted at 80 kmph.
PM Modi shared a tweet to announce the inauguration of the tunnel on Saturday. He promised that the tunnel would offer ease of living for local citizens. A tweet was also posted by Home Minister Amit Shah to express gratitude to PM Modi and congratulate BRO for playing a significant role in the materialisation of this project.

The #AtalTunnel will solve a major problem of connectivity in the region. It has several salient features and will further ‘Ease of Living’ for local citizens. Will also join public programmes in Sissu in Lahaul Spiti and at Solang Valley.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 2, 2020

Reportedly, Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee announced the construction of the strategic tunnel via the Rohtang Pass on June 3, 2000. The foundation of the tunnel was laid on June 28, 2010, by Ms Sonia Gandhi, the then Chairperson of National Advisory Council.
The tunnel has been made by the Border Roads Organisation; news has it that the BRO had to solve several issued while constructing the tunnel such as terrain, geology and weather issues in the toughest stretch of the 587-metre Seri Nalah Fault Zone.

The tunnel starts from Dhundhi located 25 km away from Manali, and ends near Teling village in Lahaul valley. Shaped like a horseshoe, this double-lane tunnel bears an overload clearance of more than 5 metres, which would allow even heavy trucks and vehicles to easily cross through it. It has the capacity to handle 3000 cars and 1500 trucks on a daily basis.