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,
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
Now prior permission has been made mandatory for everyone -- both tourists and local residents -- to drive through the Atal tunnel at night time when driving conditions are very dangerous. And tourists need to leave Lahaul valley for Manali before 5pm. Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has opened Atal tunnel for night travel as well. But owing to slippery road conditions due to the deposit of layer of ice on the road surface under extreme cold conditions, the driving has become very risky after 5 pm. Given the safety of the travellers, Lahaul-Spiti administration and police have issued some guidelines to the visitors. According to district police, no vehicle will be allowed until it obtains permission in an emergency situation to drive in night time. Secondly, the administration on Monday issued clear direction that all vehicles need to leave Sissu (a Lahaul village close to the tunnel) before 5 pm. Otherwise, vehicles will need to take permission from the administration or district disaster management authority. As work of laying of the power transmission cables from Manali to Lahaul has completed, the 9.02km-long Atal tunnel has opened for vehicular movement in the night time also. A BRO spokesperson said BRO completed the task of laying of 33KVA electricity cable free of cost after demand from Himachal government and people of Lahaul valley. “We did this work in night time from 9 pm to 6 am so that traffic movement is not hampered in the day time. Now that work is complete, the tunnel is open for traffic day and night, except 2 pm to 3 pm daily when traffic will be stopped for maintenance works,” he said. Before this, electricity cables to Lahaul valley were laid across Rohtang pass. The cables used to snap after a heavy snowfall, leaving the valley
Now prior permission has been made mandatory for everyone — both tourists and local residents — to drive through the Atal tunnel at night time when driving conditions are very dangerous. And tourists need to leave Lahaul valley for Manali before 5pm. Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has opened Atal tunnel for night travel as well.
