The 8.8-km strategic Rohtang Tunnel also known as the Atal Tunnel named after former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, being built at 3,000 metre above sea level between Himachal Pradesh’s Manali and Leh in Ladakh, will be opened by September-end
It is a 10.5 m-wide single tube, a bi-lane tunnel with a fireproof emergency tunnel built into the main tunnel itself. The 10.5-m width includes a 1-metre footpath on both sides.
The Atal Rohtang was announced by former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2000. It is a ₹4,000-crore project undertaken by the Border Roads Organisation.
The Atal Rohtang tunnel is supposed to make sure that there is uninterrupted traffic between Manali and Leh throughout the year. It will also cater to Lahaul-Spiti in Himachala Pradesh during winters.
According to India times, The tunnel has the capacity to ply 3,000 vehicles per day, at the speed of up to 80 km per hour, under any weather condition. The tunnel will also provide a road link to Lahaul and Spiti in the winters. The tunnel is along one of only two routes into Ladakh and will become key to resupplying the military garrison there. It will also accelerate troop mobility to strategic frontiers in Jammu and Kashmir.
Also, Usually, it takes around five hours to cross the Rohtang Pass but due to this tunnel, the journey will be shortened to just ten minutes.
Government plans to run Vistadome buses inside the tunnel which will have a glass rooftop for a panoramic view of the hilly region.
The tunnel will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September.
