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
The Atal Tunnel, an engineering marvel situated in the magnificent Himalayas, serves as a critical infrastructural link connecting the Lahaul-Spiti valley to Manali in Himachal Pradesh, India. This remarkable tunnel stretches approximately 9.02 kilometers beneath the Rohtang Pass, enhancing accessibility to remote regions that were otherwise isolated during harsh winter months. Officially inaugurated on October 3, 2020, the tunnel is named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, acknowledging his contributions to the development of the region. The significance of the Atal Tunnel, Rohtang extends beyond its impressive length and construction. By providing an all-weather route, it has transformed travel dynamics in the area, allowing for timely transportation of goods and services as well as improved emergency access for residents. The tunnel's strategic location is pivotal not only for enhancing mobility but also for fostering tourism, as visitors can now experience the scenic beauty of Lahaul-Spiti and the surrounding mountain landscapes without seasonal obstacles. Constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), the Atal Tunnel, Rohtang is a marvel of modern engineering, utilizing advanced technology to ensure its durability and safety. The tunnel features a sophisticated ventilation system, emergency exit provisions, and robust lighting, making it a safe passage even under challenging conditions. Its design is tailored to accommodate vehicular movement in both directions, with the capacity to handle a considerable volume of traffic. The Atal Tunnel undeniably plays a vital role in the development and integration of the remote Himalayan regions, elevating their potential for economic growth and enhancing the overall travel experience for both locals and tourists. The Engineering Feat Behind Atal Tunnel The Atal Tunnel, a remarkable engineering accomplishment, spans an impressive length of 9.02 kilometers beneath the majestic Rohtang Pass in the Indian Himalayas. This tunnel is not only a vital link between the Lahaul-Spiti Valley and
The Atal Tunnel, an engineering marvel situated in the magnificent Himalayas, serves as a critical infrastructural link connecting the Lahaul-Spiti valley to Manali in Himachal Pradesh, India. This remarkable tunnel stretches approximately 9.02 kilometers beneath the Rohtang Pass, enhancing accessibility to remote regions that were otherwise isolated during harsh winter months. Officially inaugurated on October
Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call, Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has started sharing the technology used to build the Atal tunnel, Rohtang with engineering students as Karnataka's Alliance University organised an educational tour to the Atal tunnel. Modi had announced on October 3, 2020 during the inauguration of the Atal tunnel that Border Roads Organisation (BRO) should share the construction technology of Atal tunnel with engineering students of the country to make the country Aatma-Nirbhar in tunnel construction. On Tuesday, students of Alliance College of Engineering and Design from Bangalore-based Alliance University visited the tunnel. This being the first engineering students' group to visit the tunnel for educational purpose, BRO officials gave both students and faculty members a warm welcome. They have also invited engineering students from the country who wish to learn about Atal Tunnel's planning, challenges, difficulties, and execution. “This was an amazing experience. This is no doubt an engineering masterpiece. We came all the way from Bangalore only to see this tunnel and to meet the engineers to listen to their experiences,” one of the students Lakshmi Jotsana said. Dr Vipin Prasad, professor and HoD, basic sciences, said he had started planning an educational tour to Manali ever since he had heard PM Modi inviting engineering students to visit the tunnel. “Be it civil, mechanical, electrical or students from any stream, all should visit here at least once. They will get to learn a lot of things. Students were so excited to meet the engineers and see the various technical aspects of the tunnel,” he said. Professor Prasad added that it was a proud moment for the students and the Alliance University, Karnataka, that they could make it to be the first engineering college to visit the tunnel for educational purposes on the call of
Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call, Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has started sharing the technology used to build the Atal tunnel, Rohtang with engineering students as Karnataka’s Alliance University organised an educational tour to the Atal tunnel. Modi had announced on October 3, 2020 during the inauguration of the Atal tunnel that Border Roads
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
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.
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
Himacal Pradesh chief secretary Dr Shrikant Baldi on Wednesday reviewed the progress of important tourism projects of Himachal Pradesh and directed officials to complete them within stipulated time period as they are of top priority of the state government. He said the government has sanctioned works worth Rs. 18.18cr for development of Janjehli area and Rs. 4.6cr are sanctioned for Pong area under 'Nai Raahein Nai Manzilein' scheme. He informed that Rs 3.72cr have been released for development of water sports in Larji reservoir. The project works of Rs 6.59cr were sanctioned for development of Pong area. “A detail project report (DPR) of Rs 100cr for spiritual tourism circuit is being prepared by Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation. The DPR will be prepared as per requirement of ministry of tourism, government of India. The authorities of Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti districts have been directed to provide land for development of tourist facility at Rohtang tunnel and Sissu,” he said. He directed the authorities to make it mandatory to register the trekkers going for various treks under Miscellaneous Adventure Activity Rule. He directed that the authorized agencies will have to provide a GPS band to monitor the trekkers to ensure their safety. He also reviewed the progress work of various ropeways and directed the concerned authorities to speed up the pace of work. He also reviewed the progress work of Bantony Castle, Shimla.
Himacal Pradesh chief secretary Dr Shrikant Baldi on Wednesday reviewed the progress of important tourism projects of Himachal Pradesh and directed officials to complete them within stipulated time period as they are of top priority of the state government. He said the government has sanctioned works worth Rs. 18.18cr for development of Janjehli area and
As elections are nearing, Border Roads Organization (BRO) has speeded up snow clearance operations along Manali-Rohtang-Keylong highway. Rohtang, which is still experiencing fresh snowfall, is expected to open for tourists by end of May or early June. Meanwhile, people have continued to cross Rohtang on-foot while local authorities are helping some people in traversing Rohtang tunnel. On Wednesday, nearly ten people had left Manali for Lahaul but they failed to withstand blizzards on Rohtang and had to return back to Manali. Rescue post at Marhi and Koksar have now alerted pedestrians not to go towards Rohtang pass which has received nearly 15cm of more snow on Wednesday. The temperature in Manali and Lahaul valley has sharply dipped after snowfall on hills and rain in the lower regions. People had to wear sweaters and jackets to protect them from cold. With target to resume traffic on Manali-Keylong highway before election, BRO jawans are working till late evening to clear snow from the highway. The machines have successfully cut through the snow and ice walls of Rahni nullah, the most difficult stretch of the road where snow depth was more than 40ft. Jawans from Manali side will clear road of snow till Rohtang within a week but it may take at least two more weeks for other BRO team to reach the pass from opposite side. BRO is still cutting 10 to 20ft deep snow and have reached nearly 1km beyond Rahni nullah. The weather has again turned inclement but BRO machines are unstoppable. BRO’s focus is on connecting Lahaul with Manali. Then organization shall concentrate on clearing snow from Darcha-Sarchu stretch. Be it through Rohtang tunnel or via Rohtang pass, residents of Lahaul who had migrated to Kullu or other places to spend winters have started to come back home before
As elections are nearing, Border Roads Organization (BRO) has speeded up snow clearance operations along Manali-Rohtang-Keylong highway. Rohtang, which is still experiencing fresh snowfall, is expected to open for tourists by end of May or early June. Meanwhile, people have continued to cross Rohtang on-foot while local authorities are helping some people in traversing Rohtang
