On this page, we shall keep you updated about all happenings, news, work progress, history, VIP visits and everything happening at Atal Rohtang Tunnel (Rohtang Tunnel) in Manali. Work on Atal Rohtang Tunnel, an 8.8km 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 Rohtang Tunnel (now Atal Tunnel, Rohtang) Atal Tunnel Specifications Project Cost (As on 13 July, 2020): INR 3,500 Crore Length of Atal Tunnel: 8.8 KM Mountain Range: Pir Panjal Distance of tunnel from Manali: 25 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: 9,840ft to 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
On this page, we shall keep you updated about all happenings, news, work progress, history, VIP visits and everything happening at Atal Rohtang Tunnel (Rohtang Tunnel) in Manali. Work on Atal Rohtang Tunnel, an 8.8km long engineering marvel connecting Manali with Lahaul on Manali-Leh highway, started on June 28, 2010 and it will be dedicated
Synopsis: With inauguration of Atal Tunnel, Rohtang, just around the corner, this is a historical moment for the nation. But this is much more than just an inauguration of a project for residents of Lahaul, Pangi and Killar. This is the “tunnel of hope” that will bring fortune to the valley and set them free from centuries of imprisonment. A “Thank-You” programme held at Manali under the banner of Lahaul-Spiti Eco Tourism Society and Layul Utsav Committee where the officials of Border Roads Organization (BRO) and Afcons, the engineers, security personnel, designers and many others were given the honour by presenting them Lahauli cap, muffler, Buddhist khata, socks and plants. The tribals of Lahaul valley are celebrating the completion of the Atal tunnel, Rohtang, which will give them freedom from six months of imprisonment in winter months. The happy residents are organising a series of functions to honour all those who are involved in the making of this tunnel. The tunnel is ready and is expected to be open to general traffic by end of this month. With this, the residents will enter an all-new era where they can travel outside their valley even during winter months. As this dream of bypassing deadly Rohtang pass has been fulfilled after over 50 years, the residents under banner of Lahaul-Spiti Eco Tourism Society and Layul Utsav Committee expressed their gratitude towards key persons who helped in approval of this project and the engineers and officials who build the tunnel by honouring them in traditional style on Sunday. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) officials, the engineers, security personnel, designers and many others were given the honour by presenting them Lahauli cap, muffler, Buddhist khata, socks and plants. Some media persons and panchayat representatives close to the tunnel portals in Lahaul and Manali were
Synopsis: With inauguration of Atal Tunnel, Rohtang, just around the corner, this is a historical moment for the nation. But this is much more than just an inauguration of a project for residents of Lahaul, Pangi and Killar. This is the “tunnel of hope” that will bring fortune to the valley and set them free
As Atal tunnel, Rohtang, the longest tunnel in the world above altitude of 3,000m, is expected to be a major tourist attraction of Himachal, the chief minister Jai Ram Thakur said this tunnel will start a concept of "tunnel tourism" for the first time in the country. The infrastructure is being developed at both portals of the tunnel where tourism activities will be available for the tourists. The government is further planning to start different tourism activities here to attract more tourists. Government has also planned to run glass top vistadome buses on this route especially for the tourists. “Atal tunnel will open door to tunnel tourism which will be a new concept of tourism in the country. Both the portals of the tunnel will be developed on tourism point of view. People will come to see this engineering marvel at this altitude. Also, the approach road to the tunnel is full of scenery that offers view of snow-capped mountains, glaciers, towering peaks and glacial-fed rivers. The tunnel will also open doors to flourishing tourism in the Lahaul valley,” the CM said. He said that originally the tunnel was designed 8.8km in length but the resh GPS readings after completion of the work showed that it was 9.02km-long. “This tunnel will be credited as world’s longest motorable tunnel at altitude of 3,000m. This tunnel is also a result of friendship of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Tashi Dawa, a resident of Tholang village of Lahaul. As both wanted to find an alternate to lengthy and dangerous travel across Rohtang pass, the idea of the tunnel was conceived long back. Finally, work on approach road begun in 2002 and work on tunnel began in 2010,” he added. Expedite work to give final touch to Atal tunnel for inauguration by
As Atal tunnel, Rohtang, the longest tunnel in the world above altitude of 3,000m, is expected to be a major tourist attraction of Himachal, the chief minister Jai Ram Thakur said this tunnel will start a concept of “tunnel tourism” for the first time in the country. The infrastructure is being developed at both portals
Looking for a best and hassle free Manali honeymoon package? Here is your guide to help you plan the best honeymoon in Kullu Manali. Sitting in a cozy warm room, peeping out of a large window while it is snowing outside, even you get a chance to catch some snowflakes from your private balcony, what could be more thrilling honeymoon experience? And what could be more interesting than celebrating a honeymoon on the riverside in Manali while live Kullu folk music and dance are being organized for you. Or, you are enjoying your dinner in the moonlight while bonfire keeping you warm. Manali honeymoon packages have everything that you had ever dreamed of. Honeymoon is a once in a lifetime occasion when newlyweds celebrate their marriage. They want this occasion to be memorable. The honeymoon destination is chosen very carefully by the couples. Every couple want their honeymoon destination to be romantic and exotic. They want to be very close to nature. Kullu-Manali is one of the world's best honeymoon destinations preferred by thousands of honeymooners. Depending on budget, Manali has a special honeymoon package to offer to all kinds of couples -- starting from cheap to budget to deluxe to luxury honeymoon package. Be it winter, summer, monsoon or any other season, Mother Nature has blessed Manali with enchanting beauty. Each season has its own charm in Kullu-Manali. Whenever you visit Manali, the peaks overlooking the valleys remain covered with snow. Beas river, Parvati river and their tributaries add to the beauty of the region. Dense green deodar forests make the whole district picture perfect. Honeymooners throng Manali and Kullu year-round. Honeymooners make a beeline to Manali during the marriage season. This is the time when Kullu and Manali hotels offer varieties of packages, discounts, and offers. With nearly 50
Looking for a best and hassle free Manali honeymoon package? Here is your guide to help you plan the best honeymoon in Kullu Manali. Sitting in a cozy warm room, peeping out of a large window while it is snowing outside, even you get a chance to catch some snowflakes from your private balcony, what
The professionals, including doctors, from the USA have made Himachal a new hotspot to practice Ayurveda, the century-old ancient healthcare tradition of India, giving boost to the local tourism. A large number of Indian Ayurveda doctors in America are contributing in motivating Americans to adopt Ayurveda and yoga to heal their body and Dr Naina Marballi is one of them. Born in Mumbai, Dr Naina runs Ayurveda’s World, one of the oldest Ayurveda centres of New York City’s since 1998. Her centre is certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP) to provide Ayurveda study programs. From Hollywood celebrities to doctors and businessmen, a large number of Americans are pursuing Ayurveda with help of Naina. She brings her students to Himachal for study programs and her students further teach this ancient system of medicine to their students. “India has already become a wellness centre of the world. Himachal has the capability of becoming the national wellness capital due to its pleasant weather and scenic locations. I bring 34 students at a time and most of them are from America,” Naina said, adding that half of them are repeated students who wanted to visit India again and again. “The atmosphere of Manali which is perfect to study Ayurveda has left an unforgettable impression on my students. The students also practice yoga and they chant Sanskrit mantras.” Maria Elena Rumayor, a student from the US, said what can be the better place to learn Ayurveda other than India where Ayurveda evolved in ancient time. “I was excited to see Himalayas and study here. It’s beautiful. Ayurveda and yoga have impressed me a lot. Ayurvedic and herbal medicines ensure physical and mental health without any side effect. I have many reasons to choose Ayurveda,” she said. According to Alexandra Martynova, the only
The professionals, including doctors, from the USA have made Himachal a new hotspot to practice Ayurveda, the century-old ancient healthcare tradition of India, giving boost to the local tourism. A large number of Indian Ayurveda doctors in America are contributing in motivating Americans to adopt Ayurveda and yoga to heal their body and Dr Naina
The 32km uphill yatra to Shrikhand Mahadev at an altitude of 19,000ft in Nirmand region of Kullu will officially start from July 15 to 25 under strict security arrangements and some restrictions to ensure safety of the pilgrims from many parts of the country. The pilgrims this year will have to follow strict instructions to be able to go on yatra. To make sure that every pilgrim comes back to the base safely, the minimum age of pilgrim should be 15 years. The pilgrims will have to bring a medical fitness certificate with them. And those wearing chappals would be sent back home. Anni sub-divisional magistrate Chet Singh said a meeting of the trust members and officials held on Monday and these strict decisions were taken for the safety of the pilgrims. “The pilgrims will have to register themselves after paying a fee of Rs 150. Advance registration will also be available at tehsildar office from July 10 to 14 but pilgrims will have to bring medical fitness certificate with them. A medical team will examine the pilgrims at base camp. We shall keep a check on BP and sugar level as well. Shoes would be mandatory for pilgrims,” he said. Shrikhand yatra is considered the toughest pilgrimage of the country which claims many lives every year. The yatra starts from Singhad at 6,000ft from sea level and ends at 19,000ft. Besides Himachal, most of the pilgrims come from Punjab, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Given the increasing popularity of the pilgrimage and the increasing number of casualties, the Himachal government has formed Shrikhand Yatra Trust and the pilgrimage is conducted under the supervision of Kullu administration. People can come till Jaon by car or bus and then treks for 3km to reach base camp at Singhad. Reaching 72ft tall Shiva lingam
The 32km uphill yatra to Shrikhand Mahadev at an altitude of 19,000ft in Nirmand region of Kullu will officially start from July 15 to 25 under strict security arrangements and some restrictions to ensure safety of the pilgrims from many parts of the country. The pilgrims this year will have to follow strict instructions to
The Manali-Spiti road, which was closed since October after heavy winter snowfall, has been reopened for vehicular traffic as Border Roads Organization (BRO) has cleared snow from Gramphoo-Kaza stretch including 14,000ft high Kunzum pass. This road connects with the Manali-Leh highway at Gramphoo, 16km north of Rohtang pass, and is a vital link to connect Lahaul valley with Spiti valley. The road further extends to Indo-China border at Sumdo. Known as one of the dangerous roads of the world, it is frequented by thousands of tourists every year. Given its strategically importance, Border Roads Organization (BRO) took over the Sumdo-Kaza-Gramphoo road from public works department a few years back. This road is now called SKG (Sumdo-Kaza-Gramphoo) road. While road till Kaza remains open even during winters, two teams of BRO clears snow from 140km Kaza-Gramphoo stretch after March. A BRO official said the snow from Spiti side was cleared till Kunzum pass many days back but clearing snow from Lahaul side was very challenging and took too much time. “The very heavy snowfall this season delayed the opening of the road. We had to clear over 30ft of snow at some places. Last year the road was opened in May. The road was damaged at some places. A large number of avalanches have hit the road. Light vehicles can now ply the road and we are improving the surface condition,” he said. Currently, the road is in bad condition, especially between Kunzum pass and Gramphoo. Ministry of Defence is considering widening of the highway for many years. Local residents have also been demanding to improve the condition of the road as even large vehicles fail to negotiate some stretches with huge boulders laid on the surface. Spiti is emerging as top tourist destinations of Himachal for its ancient monasteries, culture,
The Manali-Spiti road, which was closed since October after heavy winter snowfall, has been reopened for vehicular traffic as Border Roads Organization (BRO) has cleared snow from Gramphoo-Kaza stretch including 14,000ft high Kunzum pass. This road connects with the Manali-Leh highway at Gramphoo, 16km north of Rohtang pass, and is a vital link to connect
हिमाचल प्रदेश का कुल्लू जिला पर्वतीय क्षेत्र होने के साथ साथ घाटियों का भी जिला है। इन घाटियों में छोटे बड़े कई नदी नाले बहते है। यदि पश्चमी हिमालय में एक ऐसा पहाड़ी क्षेत्र चुना जाए जो प्राकृतिक सौन्दर्य और संसाधनों से भरपूर हो, जिसका अधिकांश क्षेत्र वनों, नदी,नालों, झीलों, झरनों और ढ़लानों से भरा हो,जहां बहुत कम लोग निवास करते हो शायद इसका जबाब यही होगा कि हिमाचल प्रदेश के कुल्लू जिला की तीर्थन घाटी. जहां की वादियां शान्त, सुरम्य और प्रदूषण मुक्त हो, जहां पर नदी नाले ,झील झरने यहां के परिदृश्य को सुशोभित करते हो, जहां प्राकृतिक संगीत की सुर लहरियां हो, पारम्परिक मेले और त्यौहार जहां गौरवमयी इतिहास का साक्ष्य प्रस्तुत करते हो तथा जहां पर अतिथि: देवों: भव: चरितार्थ होता हो। बात चाहे आस्था की हो या आस्था स्थली की, कुदरत के नजारों की हो या जैविक विविधिता के अनूपम खजाने की वास्तव में तीर्थन घाटी का कोई सानी नहीं है। पश्चमी हिमालय के सुदूर क्षेत्र बंजार की तीर्थन घाटी में स्थित ग्रेट हिमालयन नेशनल पार्क को वर्ष 2014 में यूनेस्को द्वारा विश्व धरोहर का दर्जा दिया गया। यह नेशनल पार्क भारत के बहुत ही खूबसूरत नेशनल पार्कों में से एक है जिसका क्षेत्रफल करीब 765 वर्ग किलोमीटर में फैला हुआ है।यहां पर अद्वितीय प्राकृतिक सौन्दर्य और जैविक विविधिता का अनुपम खजाना है।इस नेशनल पार्क का महत्व यहां पाई जाने वाली दुर्लभतम जैविक विविधता से ही है। वन्य जीव हो या परिन्दा, चिता, भालू, घोरल, ककड़, जेजू राणा, मोनाल सरीखे कई परिन्दे व जीवजन्तु और वन वनस्पति औषधीय जड़ी बूटियां यहां मौजूद है। इस पार्क की विशेषता यह भी है कि यहां पर वन्य जीवों व परिन्दों की वे प्रजातियां आज भी पाई जाती है जो समूचे विश्व में दुर्लभ होने के कगार पर है। बात चाहे वन्य प्राणियों की हो चाहे परिन्दों की हो
हिमाचल प्रदेश का कुल्लू जिला पर्वतीय क्षेत्र होने के साथ साथ घाटियों का भी जिला है। इन घाटियों में छोटे बड़े कई नदी नाले बहते है। यदि पश्चमी हिमालय में एक ऐसा पहाड़ी क्षेत्र चुना जाए जो प्राकृतिक सौन्दर्य और संसाधनों से भरपूर हो, जिसका अधिकांश क्षेत्र वनों, नदी,नालों, झीलों, झरनों और ढ़लानों से भरा
The ground floors of houses in Solang and Kothi villages of Manali have buried under the white blanket as over 5ft of snow has accumulated here after many spells of very heavy snowfall since January. The snow accumulation below the roofs have reached 10 to 15ft. Snow has entered the balconies and verandahs. Snowfall is delighting tourists here but it has come as a disaster to Solang village of Manali where a house has demolished after landslides below the village, while another houses of the village is on verge of collapse. A house which can collapse any time has been vacated. The land has developed huge cracks which are advancing towards other houses. The house of Nokh Ram collapsed on Monday night. Fortunately they had already shifted to new house and were using it to store firewood and fodder. The family of Gokul Chand has evacuated the house for safety. Solang and Kothi villages have received over 20ft of snow since December and are still covered with over 4ft thick white blanket. The melting of the snow has triggered landslides below Solang village which is situated on the edge of the mountain, about 1,000ft above the valley. The village having about 50 houses has witnessed a massive avalanche after three decades. The terrified residents are still crossing 30ft high avalanche debris to reach home. “We have received such heavy snowfall after many years. From the backside we are under threat of avalanche and from front side the foundation of the whole village is sliding. The cracks on ground can be seen above the snow surface as well which has opened several feet wide. We are spending sleepless nights,” a resident of Solang village Roshan Lal said. With no road connectivity, Kothi residents had to stay indoors for many days in
The ground floors of houses in Solang and Kothi villages of Manali have buried under the white blanket as over 5ft of snow has accumulated here after many spells of very heavy snowfall since January. The snow accumulation below the roofs have reached 10 to 15ft. Snow has entered the balconies and verandahs. Snowfall is
Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s village Prini will soon become the smartest village of the country and will attract large number of tourist. Himachal government has drafted a plan to make village digitally sound and an eco-tourism hub. A large number of tourists visiting Manali generally ask about the location of Prini where Vajpayee has his house. A large number of hotels have mushroomed in the outskirt of Prini village. The village has many homestays and guesthouses as well. Prini is the base to famous tourist spot Hamta pass and is 4km from Manali. In an effort to pay tribute to Vajpayee, Himachal government has now planned to develop the whole village as a 21st century modern village where residents will get all the facilities and tourists will get to experience the charming atmosphere of a typical but smart and digital village. Plan is provide villagers with free wi-fi. CCTV cameras would be fitted on streets and major points. The streets and public places will have proper street lights. The whole land record would be digitalized. Road and streets would be beautified. The village will have proper sewers, drinking water supply, sanitation and garbage treatment facility. The village school will start smart classes. All works in village would be digitalized. The houses will have solar panels on roof to generate power and to warm up the water. Kullu deputy commissioner Yunus said administration is planning to develop Prini as a model village of 21st century. “As directed by government, villagers would be provided with all basic facilities like wi-fi and street lights. Prini will become an example of best eco-friendly model village in the country. It will also become an eco-tourism village. Following meetings, we shall discuss on ideas to implement the plan in best way,” he said. Former
Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s village Prini will soon become the smartest village of the country and will attract large number of tourist. Himachal government has drafted a plan to make village digitally sound and an eco-tourism hub. A large number of tourists visiting Manali generally ask about the location of Prini where Vajpayee
