Dance inside Atal tunnel lands eight tourists in jail
Modi at Atal Tunnel

Eight tourists from Delhi dancing inside Atal tunnel after stopping their car have been arrested by Kullu police on Thursday evening.

Tourists have continued to flout traffic rules in the tunnel having strategic significance. The 9.02km long tunnel has become the main tourist attraction since its inauguration on October 3 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The tourist rush has increased ahead of Christmas and New Year. So has increased the number of miscreants.

Kullu superintendent of police Gaurav Singh told the media, “Tourists have been booked under relevant sections of the law and have been arrested. The vehicle of the tourist that they had stopped in tunnel has also been impounded. Some other tourists, who were present on the spot after stopping their vehicles, are also being questioned. They will also face legal action.”

While the vehicle was wearing a registration number from Delhi, names and addresses of the accused were not disclosed by the police as the matter was under investigation. Police said addresses and names are being verified. However, the SP said more tourists are likely to be arrested. Police were taking the matter seriously as it belonged to national security for the tunnel being a major link between Manali and Ladakh.

Himachal government has imposed a strict ban on stopping vehicles and stepping out of the vehicles inside the tunnel for security reasons. Some tourists had reportedly created traffic chaos inside the tunnel on Thursday. They started dancing to the loud music. Many other tourists gathered there and some also joined them.

The traffic inside the tunnel is being managed by Kullu police while traffic in its north portal is managed by Lahaul-Spiti police. Cops were collecting more evidence through videos made by local drivers and security cameras installed inside the tunnel.

Similar incidents had come to light on October 3 and 4 immediately after the inauguration of the tunnel when tourists were stopping vehicles in the middle of the tunnel and were entering inside the ventilation chambers, security and pump rooms and even inside the escape tunnel. The shameful activities of the tourists were captured in the security cameras.

The Border Roads Organisation had written to the Himachal government to arrange for the security of the strategically important tunnel. The government then issued strict rules regarding traffic and tourists. Police from both Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti districts were deployed here. The government also ordered to establish police stations at both portals of the tunnel.

The irresponsible and mannerless tourists are giving a serious headache to tunnel management and police. Despite ban, overtaking, driving beyond speed limit, making video while driving, stopping to take photographs, littering the area, honking and playing loud music are some of the traffic violations here. A large number of accidents have happened here since October.

Meanwhile, Atal tunnel management on Thursday decided to keep the tunnel closed for all kind of movement for one hour daily from 11am to 12pm. Earlier the tunnel was being closed from 2pm to 3pm for maintenance purpose but given the increasing tourist rush and inputs from Lahaul-Spiti administration, the timing has been changed.

Discover Kullu Manali requests all the tourists visiting Atal tunnel to behave like a gentleman and a well-mannered and well-behaved person. This tunnel is a pride of the country. If you do not respect it, you will not respect the country and you will not respect Indian Army for whom the tunnel has been built primarily. Tourism is not all about just fun but about fun with responsibility.

Speed limit inside the tunnel is 60 KMPH while at its portals (and at its both ends) is 40 KMPH. Please follow traffic rules, drive within the speed limit, use dipper (low beam) in the night time, don’t honk and don’t litter. Littering is becoming a major problem in the mountains. Tourists leave behind tonnes of garbage every year in Kullu-Manali.

We do not need irresponsible tourists. We need tourists who love nature and who care for nature and who comply with the law.

Update on December 12, 2020 (13:00 Hrs)

A total of 10 tourists have been booked in this connection while three vehicles have been impounded.

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The Himalayan

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