Tag: atal tunnel in winter

The increasing craze for 9.02km-long Atal tunnel has resulted in record 12,73,699 vehicles traversing it from both sides in 2022, nearly 60 per cent more than that in 2021. Nearly 6,22,988 vehicles carrying about 20 lakh tourists entered Lahaul valley via tunnel from Manali while about 6,50,711 vehicles exited Lahaul through the tunnel, with a total 12,73,699 vehicles. About 3,76,870 vehicles entered the district and around 4,23,071 vehicles exited the district through the tunnel, making it total 7,99,941 vehicles using the tunnel in 2021. Lahaul-Spiti superintendent of police Manav Verma shared in the district police facebook page that 2022 witnessed an increase of about 4.73 lakh vehicles, mostly tourist vehicles. “The highest traffic in Atal tunnel was recorded in the months of June (2,25,045), May (2,11,824) and December (2,02,974). The highest traffic recorded in a single day was on December 25 on Christmas Day, which was recorded at 19,383. This was the highest number of vehicles since Atal tunnel, Rohtang, was inaugurated by the PM Narendra Modi on October 3, 2020,” he shared. Lahaul valley has seen huge traffic influx after opening of the tunnel. However, most of the tourists are visiting only the Atal tunnel and returning back to Manali on the same day. The craze for the tunnel is so high that more than 10,000 vehicles crossed the tunnel for a total of 16 days in 2022. Many tourists want to see this modern tunnel built at altitude of 10,020ft from sea level while others visit it to see the snow at its northern end. Some are visiting Lahaul valley via tunnel and others use it while travelling to Ladakh or Pangi valley. Majority of visitors are tourists from different states. Almost every tourist visiting Manali is reaching the tunnel which has also become a new snow point,