Atal Tunnel, Rohtang – Engineering Marvel in Himalayas

On this page, we shall keep you updated about all happenings, news, work progress, history, VIP visits and everything happening at Atal Tunnel, Rohtang in Manali. Work on Atal Tunnel, a 9.02 km long engineering marvel connecting Manali with Lahaul on Manali-Leh highway, started on June 28, 2010 and it will be dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September 2020.

Timeline of sequence of events at Atal Tunnel, Rohtang

December 16, 2022: As five-day deadline to reinstall the foundation stone plaque of Sonia Gandhi at Atal tunnel ended despite chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s strict order, the officials said the order can be followed only after direction from the BRO headquarters in Delhi or Ministry of Defence. The officials of district administration in Kullu said they had visited the spot to finalise the location to install the stone plaque but Border Roads Organisation (BRO), which built the tunnel and now is responsible for its maintenance, will follow the order from higher authorities in Delhi.

December 11, 2022: Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, immediately after assuming the post of chief minister of Himachal, raised the issue of removing the foundation stone plaque of Sonia Gandhi from Atal tunnel, Rohtang, after the matter was brought to his notice by MLA from Lahaul-Spiti, Ravi Thakur. The CM directed the officials to reinstall the stone plaque within five days. The then UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi laid the foundation stone of the Rohtang tunnel project (now Atal tunnel) on June 28, 2010. Before this, the foundation stone of the approach road from Palchan to south portal of the tunnel at Dhundi was laid by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2002. PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the tunnel on October 3, 2020. To the surprise of the Congress supporters and leaders, the foundation stone plaque of Sonia Gandhi was missing from the spot during the inauguration of tunnel by PM Modi. Congress blamed it was done intentionally by BJP to take complete credit for the tunnel and to tamper the history of the tunnel.

March 24, 2022: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched a website to book a ticket to visit Atal tunnel for study/knowledge purposes. The ticket can be booked by tourists for a guided tour to the tunnel.

February 9, 2022: World Book of Records, London, today declared the Atal tunnel, Rohtang, to be the World’s longest tunnel above 10,000 feet. Border Roads Organisation chief (Director General Border Roads) received the world record certificate today at his Delhi office.

January 12, 2022: Jitendra Prasad, Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM), is the new chief engineer of Project Rohtang Tunnel (Now project Yojak). He took over as CE a few days back.

January 12, 2022: Project Rohtang Tunnel is now “Project Yojak”. Shinkula pass tunnel between Himachal’s Lahaul and Ladakh’s Zanskar will also be built by project Yojak of Border Roads Organisation (BRO). Construction work will start this year.

January 12, 2022: BRO will set up a museum on Atal Tunnel where visitors will get all information on the tunnel project.

December 17, 2021: With the increase in vehicular rush through the Atal tunnel, the tunnel authorities are having trouble with its upkeep and have decided to keep the tunnel shut for 2.5 hours twice a week for maintenance purposes. The Atal tunnel project management has asked Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti administrations not to allow vehicles to the tunnel every Monday and Thursday between 7 am and 9:30 am. The officials say they are not getting adequate time to carry out proper cleaning of the tunnel due to high traffic movement.

November 27, 2021: The minister of state for road transport & highways and civil aviation General (Retd) VK Singh visited Atal tunnel, Rohtang, today; He first visited the headquarters of the Rohtang Tunnel Project in Solang valley where Border Roads Organisation (BRO) officials briefed him about the Atal tunnel, Manali-Leh highway and other proposed highway tunnels on Manali-Leh axis. He then visited the Atal tunnel and was given guard of honour at north portal.

November 8, 2021: Eight thousand houses of Lahaul valley of Himachal will illuminate even after a snowfall in winter season this year as the valley’s power grids are now being fed through a 33 kV transmission line laid across the Atal tunnel. People of Lahaul will not have to spend winter season in darkness. After efforts of one year, the laying of power transmission lines from Palchan near Manali to Lahaul valley through Atal tunnel has been completed. After a series of tests, the power supply to the coldest region of Himachal has been started through the tunnel since Sunday. The 33/11 kV substations at Sissu, Karga and Thirot have been connected with the new transmission line. This way, Atal tunnel has also received alternate option of power.

October 3, 2021: ONE YEAR of ATAL TUNNEL: The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) officials on Sunday celebrated the one year of Atal tunnel. The officials and jawans organised a small event at south portal of the tunnel. They distributed sweets and shouted “Bharat Mata ki Jai, BRO ki Jai” slogans to commemorate this occasion. The 9.02km-long Atal tunnel, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 3, 2020, has changed everything on both sides of it in just one year. This engineering marvel has brought prosperity to the area, made travel to Ladakh and Lahaul easy and became top tourist destination of the state.

October 3, 2021: 6.59 lakh vehicles use Atal tunnel in one year

As many as 6,59,087 vehicles had used Atal tunnel, Rohtang from its inauguration last year till October 2, 2021 besides 1,63,053 vehicles that had used the tunnel before its inauguration. This way, a total of 8,22,140 vehicles have used the tunnel. July 2021 witnessed the highest ever vehicles entering the tunnel with a total count of 1,22,090 with an average of 3,938 vehicles using the tunnel every day. Over 90 per cent vehicles visit the tunnel for tourism purpose. The data clearly shows how the Atal tunnel has become a major tourist attraction. The tunnel has outshined Rohtang pass which used to be the main tourist crowd-puller until last year.

September 26, 2021: Union Minister Piyush Goyal visted Atal Tunnel, Rohtang, on Sunday morning along with chief minister Jai Ram Thakur where officials from the tunnel briefed them about the tunnel and Manali-Leh highway. Goyal first inspected the tunnel, later he was shown the model of the Manali-Leh and Padum-Shinkula-Darcha roads. Atal tunnel chief engineer VK Singh explained about the features of the tunnel. He told Goyal that the tunnel has cut short the distance between Manali and Leh by 46km and has provided round the year connectivity to Lahaul valley.

July 9, 2021: With Atal tunnel witnessing record-high traffic of vehicles, especially tourists, the tunnel management on Friday decided to shut the tunnel only two days a week for one hour each for maintenance purposes. According to Rohtang Tunnel Project chief engineer VK Singh, the tunnel will remain closed for one hour every Monday and Thursday. “Most of the ancillary works in tunnels are complete. Given the present traffic congestion due to the huge inflow of tourists in Manali, the closure of the tunnel for maintenance will not happen every day. The closing timing will be 7am to 8am. During this time, we shall accomplish the important maintenance works.”

Atal Tunnel Specifications

• Project Cost (As on 30 September, 2020): INR 3,200 Crore
• Length of Atal Tunnel: 9.02 KM
• Mountain Range: Pir Panjal
• Distance of tunnel from Manali: 24 KM
• Distance of tunnel from Keylong: 40 KM
• Distance of tunnel from Rohtang pass: 26 KM
• Shape of tunnel: Horseshoe
• Tunnel method: New Austria Tunneling Method (NATM) which uses drilling, blasting and digging
• Width of tunnel: 10m
• Altitude of the tunnel: 10,170ft
• Tunnel designed for vehicular speed: 80 km per hour
• Temperature at south portal of Atal Tunnel at Dhundi: 28 degrees C (summers) to – 20 degrees C (winters)
• Temperature at north portal of Atal Tunnel near Sissu in Lahaul: 30 degrees C (summers) to – 30 degrees C (winters)
• Overburden: Maximum overburden (Pir Panjal mountain range) of 1,900m and average of over 600m
• Emergency escape route: An emergency tunnel (2.25m high and 3.6m wide) is running below the main carriageway/highway
• Vehicle capacity: 3,000 cars and 1,500 trucks
• Designed speed: Maximum speed of 80 km per hour and minimum speed of 30 km per hour.

Features of Atal Tunnel

• The approach road to Atal tunnel is being secured by avalanche protection structures at avalanche-prone sites.
• Besides emergency exit tunnel below main tunnel, high efficiency fire sensing and extinguishing mechanism is being installed.
• A semi-transverse ventilation system.
• CCTV cameras being placed at regular distance.
• Pollution monitoring system.
• Public announcement system (speakers).
• Telephone facility.
• High-efficiency automatic lights that will turn off automatically if no movement inside the tunnel. This will save energy.

Updated on 28 June 2021

Himachal unlock: Record 7,276 vehicles use Atal tunnel in 24 hours

Record 7,276 vehicles, which include the majority of tourist vehicles, have used Atal Tunnel, Rohtang within 24 hours from Sunday 8am to Monday 8am.

The tunnel had not witnessed such a high traffic load since its inauguration on October 3 last year. 3,848 vehicles entered the tunnel from its south portal in Kullu district and 3,428 vehicles entered from north portal in Lahaul-Spiti district. While nearly 90 per cent of the vehicles belong to tourists, the remaining vehicles include local vehicles, buses and goods carriers. The vehicles belong to tourists coming to visit tunnel, Lahaul valley, Spiti valley and those heading to Ladakh.

Lahaul-Spiti superintendent of police Manav Verma said, “The traffic rush has broken all previous records. Majority of vehicles entering the tunnel from both sides are tourist vehicles. The traffic is further diverting to Ladakh, Lahaul, Spiti and Pangi valley of Chamba district. To avoid traffic congestions, we are not allowing vehicles to park on the highway and tourists are allowed to park at designated parking spaces only.”

After witnessing bad time amid pandemic, the tourism industry of Himachal is witnessing an extremely high tourist rush following lifting of the requirement of RT-PCR report and e-pass to enter the state. All the major highways are witnessing unprecedented traffic rush and vehicles are plying in long queues. Due to travel restrictions and social distancing norms, tourists are travelling in private vehicles.

Be it tolls, nakas, green tax barrier, long queues are vehicles are being witnessed everywhere. With Rohtang pass opening only for local taxis due to safety reasons, most tourists are heading towards Atal tunnel and Lahaul valley. It has made the tunnel extremely busy.

As many as 6,400 vehicles had used the tunnel only in 12 hours from 8am to 8pm on Sunday. It included 2,905 tourist vehicles, 58 Leh-bound trucks, 284 Leh-bound light vehicles, 134 Spiti-bound vehicles, eight Pangi valley bound trucks, 39 Pangi valley bound light motor vehicles and 32 local trucks that entered the tunnel from its south portal and 2,940 vehicles that entered the tunnel from its north portal.

Before this, 5,674 was the highest number of vehicles that had used Atal tunnel in March this month. 5,400 vehicles using the tunnel in a small time period on December 27, 2020 had almost jammed the approach roads to the tunnel.

Cops are not allowing parking at both portals of the tunnel while movement inside tunnel is being monitored by security cameras. The warning signages have been put up outside the tunnel that stopping vehicle inside the tunnel is an offence. Meanwhile, tunnel management is regularly monitoring the pollution level inside the tunnel. The tunnel will remain closed for maintenance for three hours from 9pm on Tuesday night.

Updated on 15 March 2021

Over 1.5 lakh vehicles use Atal tunnel

Over 1.5 lakh tourists have used Atal tunnel since its inauguration by PM Narendra Modi on October 3 and most of the vehicles belong to tourists, an official said.

Atal tunnel has proved to be a major tourist destination that is witnessing high vehicular movement right from its opening. Tourists are experiencing driving through the world’s longest highway tunnel above 10,000ft and are entering Lahaul valley for the first time in the winter season. Despite the fact that the Manali-Atal tunnel highway is open only till Lahaul valley, the tunnel is getting a large number of vehicles every day.

Record over 5,400 vehicles had used Atal tunnel on December 27 last year. This year, March 13 witnessed the highest ever single-day traffic in the tunnel with 3,950 vehicles entering the tunnel from both portals.

With the increase in tourist vehicles, traffic violations are also on the rise. Kullu police have challaned 87 vehicles for over speed, 65 for rash driving, and 210 for other traffic violations. 27 tourists were arrested for stopping vehicles inside the tunnel and creating a nuisance.

Updated on 5 March 2021

ITBP equips cops at Atal tunnel with special winter gears

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP) on Friday presented special clothes and equipment to the cops deployed at Atal tunnel so that they could withstand even the temperature of minus 40 degrees C.

The ITBP and Himachal police organised a small programme at south portal of the tunnel. ITBP deputy inspector general Prem Singh gave 11 types of special clothes and equipment that can be used by 60 cops deployed at the tunnel.

The Atal tunnel area witnesses extreme cold weather and very heavy snowfall. Himachal police is responsible for the security and safety of the tunnel.

Prem Singh said these clothes and equipment are the same which are those used by soldiers at Siachen in Ladakh. “ITBP is using these clothes and equipment at an altitude ranging from 9,000ft to 21,000ft in Ladakh, Himachal, Uttarakhand, and North-East. Our jawans are comfortably performing their duty in all weather conditions. The clothes help us withstand the outside temperature of even minus 40 degrees C,” he said while handing over the equipment and other winter gears to Himachal police DIG (central range) Madhusudan Sharma.

Updated on 14 November 2018

Life at the end of a tunnel

As Winter Cuts Off Tribal Lahaul From The Mainland, Atal Tunnel Is The Sole Exit Route…

When winter sets in, more than 100 tiny hamlets of Lahaul Valley dotting the Himalayas fall silent. At sunset, thin lines of smoke trail out of chimneys. Often, that is all the movement there is.

Sitting around a tandoor, Sunil Bodh and members of his family discuss how to survive the cold, snow and medical emergencies over the next six months when the valley remains cut off from the mainland. But the discussion is not as bleak as before. Even when snow plugs all routes, this time, they will have the under-construction Atal tunnel to fall back on in case of a medical emergency.

“General movement is not allowed but the government has promised to allow us entry through the Atal tunnel in case of a medical emergency. They will not leave us to die like previous years when airlifting was the only way of going out of the valley. The tunnel will keep us connected with the outer world,” said Sunil’s mother Angmo Bodh.

Lahaul is freezing at minus 4 degree Celsius. In some areas, it is even lower. Water sources have frozen over completely. The temperature will plunge below minus 20 degrees Celsius by the end of December.

Rohtang Pass, the gateway to Lahaul, is covered with a 30 to 100cm thick layer of snow. By the end of the winter, it will be 20 to 30ft or deep or even more.

The pass officially closed on November 15 and the Border Roads Organization (BRO) has stopped work on the pass till next season.

This year, snowfall in Rohtang and Lahaul blocked the highway to the valley on November 12. Earlier, BRO refused to clear snow from Rohtang. However, they gave in to public demand and cleared the highway on Friday, temporarily resuming traffic.

Tribals from 28 panchayats of Lahaul have high hopes from the Atal tunnel but the Lahaul-Spiti administration and tunnel management are in a dilemma.

Residents want the Atal tunnel opened for the general public once a week in the winter and the state government has assured that talks will be held with top BRO officials and the defence ministry.

However, management of the Atal tunnel project pointed out that the tunnel is incomplete, so traffic will not only hinder work but also endanger people. Therefore, they have made it clear that people will be allowed to pass only in case of emergency. The Lahaul-Spiti administration has supported the statement of the management.

Since people cannot fully depend on the Atal tunnel this winter, the government plans to launch a winter helicopter service between Kullu and Lahaul.

The foundation stone of the 8.8 kilometre-long Atal tunnel (wow 9.02km-long) was laid on June 28, 2010 and boring was completed last October. Starting from green Dhundi near Manali, the tunnel opens to the completely barren Lahaul near Teling village.

Stocks Run Out

Residents of Lahaul prepare for the winter isolation well in time by completing agricultural work and stocking up on ration, fuel, LPG and fodder. All government departments stock and distribute essentials like fuel, LPG, ration and medicines. Many residents did not do so this year thinking they could depend on the Atal tunnel.

A few people, particularly patients, pregnant women, students, seasonal workers and a few elderly residents leave the valley before snowfall and return in the summer. People who live in other districts also go to Lahaul in the winter. This year, they were confident of getting access to the Atal tunnel.

The BRO had warned the district administration in advance that it cleared snow from the Manali-Rohtang-Lahaul highway three times since September and the task should be handled by the administration and residents now.

Despite the warning, hundreds of tribals were stuck in Kullu and Lahaul when snow fell. Even as many gained emergency access through the Atal tunnel, others were denied entry due to security reasons. With growing pressure from the people and government, BRO had to reopen the road by clearing snow for the last time this season.

Even though the Atal tunnel will remain open for medical emergencies, keeping the approach road to the tunnel from Keylong and other parts of the valley open in all weather conditions will be a major challenge. The ambulance can reach the tunnel portal only if the approach road is cleared.

Lives At Risk

Nearly 60 residents of Lahaul, including women and children, forcibly entered the north portal of the under-construction Atal tunnel after being denied entry by the tunnel security on Monday evening.

Ram Dassi of Salgran village, lost consciousness while four others felt suffocated when they reached midway.

They were stopped by the tunnel management and police and Keylong SDM Amar Negi took them back in two buses. Those who felt the impact of low air pressure inside the Atal tunnel were given first aid by the tunnel management and then sent to hospital.

The BRO chief engineer sent a written complaint to Lahaul-Spiti DC saying that a few people incited the group to enter the tunnel after a security breach and put their lives in danger. On Tuesday, the DC ordered establishment of a police post at the north portal of the Atal tunnel to prevent such incidents in future.

Residents said Rohtang Pass was closed after heavy snowfall and they had to go out of the landlocked valley. They said hundreds of people had already used the tunnel in the last few days but were denied entry.

Also, they accused agriculture minister Dr Ram Lal Markanda of giving them the false assurance of helping them cross the tunnel. Ram Nandi, one of the residents who forced their way inside the Atal tunnel, said, “The minister asked us to gather at the Atal tunnel portal in the morning from where he had to arrange our entrance into tunnel. When he came, he assured us that he would get permit for us and went inside the tunnel with four other vehicles. However, the Atal tunnel management said no one took permission for us. Later, it was decided that we would enter the tunnel ourselves as we had been waiting in the biting cold since morning without even having a meal. When we walked for about 5km inside tunnel, we started feeling suffocated and faint.”

Thousands Rescued

This year, nearly 4,000 people, including 1,000 tourists, used the tunnel in emergency. When sudden snowfall on September 22 to 24 left thousands stranded in Lahaul-Spiti and Ladakh, most of the people were rescued through the Atal tunnel. On November 12, when snowfall blocked Rohtang Pass, hundreds of people used the tunnel. Many patients have been transported through the tunnel.

Engineering Marvel

The 9.02km-long tunnel, which will be built at a cost of about Rs 3,500 crore, is an engineering marvel, given its location in the extreme climatic condition of the Himalayas. It is the longest tunnel of the country at an altitude of 10,000ft above sea level. Work finished on October 2017. Now, engineers are giving a final shape to the tunnel and fitting safety instruments. Atal tunnel will completed by the end of 2020. It was to be completed in 2015 but was delayed because of geological challenges like high water ingress and loose rock strata. The double-lane tunnel, which is strategically important for the Army, will provide all-weather connectivity to the tribal Lahaul valley. It will also cut short the distance between Manali and Leh by about 45km.

Misuse of Passage Alleged

Residents allege that a few people manage to get access to the tunnel because of their influence. A few days back, nearly 60 people who did not get entry to tunnel accused a few politicians and officials of misusing their power to cross the tunnel.

They said people who were really in need bore the brunt. A total of 18 soldiers from Lahaul, who had to join duty at different places, could not get access to the tunnel and had to cross Rohtang Pass on foot a few days back.

Atal tunnel is strategically important and its construction is being closely monitored by the Defence Ministry. But for now, it is incomplete and unsafe.

Caution Advised

With a geographical area of 13,841sqkm, Lahaul-Spiti is the largest district of Himachal. The cold desert remains closed for six months of the year when 10 to 50ft thick snow blocks roads leading to the valley. On completion, the tunnel will provide all-weather access to the valley and improve the life of residents.

Dr P D Lal, an area resident said, “People will get to see the amazing world in Lahaul after getting winter access via the tunnel. Tourism will get a boost and farmers will have the option of taking their produce to other markets. We don’t want our land exploited and want a development plan. I personally feel that the eco-sensitive Lahaul valley should be kept free from large projects. We have been protesting against a number of hydel projects proposed to be built on the Chandrabhaga (Chenab) river. Once Atal tunnel is complete, investors will be all the more interested in such projects. We do not want the government to let the tunnel be a curse for the beautiful Lahaul.”

Allowing free civilian movement across the under- construction tunnel is not possible for many reasons. We shall send cases of medical emergency via Atal tunnel this winter. A police post has been established at the north portal to monitor public movement

Ashwani Kumar Chawdhary | DC, Lahaul-Spiti

The government should made arrangements for people of Lahaul to use Atal tunnel at least once a week so that work on the tunnel is not hampered

Ravi Thakur | Former MLA, Congress

I have talked to top BRO officials to provide relief to Lahaul residents in the winter months. I have also talked to the chief minister for a helicopter service to Lahaul soon after the snowfall.

Dr Ram Lal Markanda | Tribal development and agriculture minister

BRO has cleared snow from Rohtang Pass for the last time this season. Now, we shall not open the road after the snowfall. Work on the tunnel is incomplete. Opening it for free public movement is not safe.

Mohan Lal | BRO additional director general

Update on 27 November 2020

Atal tunnel to open once a week for petroleum vehicles

Vehicles carrying petroleum products including petrol, diesel, kerosene and LPG can now use Atal tunnel as the Centre has given nod to open tunnel for inflammable products under the certain standard operating procedure.

The 9.02km long tunnel was opened to general traffic on October 3. But the vehicles carrying inflammable products and explosives were not allowed to use the tunnel due to security reasons. These vehicles were bound to use the old highway via Rohtang pass which consumes 3 to 4 hours of extra travel time. Now that Rohtang pass has been closed after heavy snowfall and will open next year, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has said that petroleum products can be transported through the tunnel.

However, these vehicles will be allowed only once a week. Most of the petroleum supply to Ladakh and Lahaul has already been sent via Rohtang pass. Only a few vehicles will be plying through the tunnel till next summer season. Letting petroleum vehicles through tunnel will ensure adequate supply in Lahaul valley even after snowfall.

A BRO official said that Wednesday has been fixed as a day when vehicles carrying petroleum vehicles can ply through the tunnel. “As per directions from the Centre, petroleum vehicles can also use the tunnel. Movement of such vehicles will be regulated according to the state’s standard operating procedure,” he said.

According to sources, vehicles ferrying the petroleum products will have to park vehicles near the tunnel with its engine switched off so that temperature of the engine is brought down. This will minimize the chances of fire hazards inside the tunnel. All such vehicles will be sent in the mid-day in presence of fire vehicles and some local officials. This practice will continue until further order from the Ministry of Defence.

Meanwhile, BRO has cleared snow from the Manali-Atal tunnel and Sissu-Atal tunnel highways. The deposit of black ice will allow movement of only four-wheel-drive vehicles. BRO officials said that vehicular movement through the tunnel will be allowed even at night time after first week of December.