Atal tunnel is one of longest tunnel made over the 10000ft altitude. It significantly reduces travel time to Ladakh form Himachal Pradesh and will provide yeal long connectivity.
2. Atal Tunnel
Atal tunnel (Rohtang tunnel) is a highway tunnel built under the Rohtang Pass
in the eastern Pir Panjal Range Of the Himalayas.
Source- The Hindu newspaper
3. Specifications
# Length:- 9.02 KM
# Width:- 10 m
# No. of lanes:- 2
# Location:- Rohtang (H.P)
# Work started:- 28.June.2010
# Opened:- 03.October.2020
# Operator:- BRO
# Operating speed:- 40-80 KM
# Project cost:- 3200 Crores INR
Source : The Times of India
4. Planning
# Firstly in 1960 then PM Nehru discussed a ropeway to Rohtang Pass with the tribes but later this plan
was dropped.
# Then PM Vajpayee in his Lahaul trip in June 2000 and declared that the Rohtang Tunnel would be
constructed.
# In 2000, the project was estimated to cost ₹500 crore and be completed in seven years.
# In May 2002, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) was put in charge of construction.
# However the project did not move beyond the tree-felling stage by May 2003. By December 2004, the
cost estimate reached to ₹900 crore.
# In May 2007, the government revised the contract and fixed new timeline i.e 2014.However, there was
no progress for the next three years, until May 2010.
# Finally the work was awarded to a joint venture of AFCONS Infrastructure Limited, an Indian
construction company of Shapoorji Pallonji Group, and STRABAG AG, Austria, in September 2009.
Source- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atal_Tunnel
5. Aim
The Atal Tunnel has been planned to ensure an all-seasons, all-weather road route to
strategically important areas of Ladakh and the remote Lahaul-Spiti valley.
However, the tunnel will provide this connectivity only up to Darcha, north of Keylong in the
Lahaul region of Himachal Pradesh. Connectivity to Ladakh will require more tunnels: either
at Shikun La, or at the passes located on the present Leh-Manali road.
The Cabinet committee on security also backed the project as it provides connectivity to the
LAC on Indo-Tibet Border where existing infrastructure is not able to compete with China’s
aggressive infrastructure development.
It will also improve lifestyle of local communities as it bring economic development.
Source:- The Hindu editorial
6. About the operator (BRO)
Nation's most reputed, multifaceted, transnational, modern
construction Organisation committed to meeting the strategic
needs of the armed forces with enlightened leadership, a strong,
skilled and committed workforce , a well ingrained value system
and a strong environment conscience. Playing a national role in
socio economic development through its large scale contribution to
infrastructure development.
Work
Develop & Maintain the Operational Road Infrastructure of General
Staff in the Border Areas.
Contribute to the Socio-Economic Development of the Border
States.
Source- http://www.bro.gov.in
Logo of BRO
8. Achievements
# It is the longest tunnel in the world built over the altitude of 10000 ft./3000 m.
# It shows India’s determination to connect the remote areas with the outside world for better
development opportunities.
# It reduced the travel time by about 4 hours when compared to the older route.
# It improved all year connectivity of the Ladakh UT to rest of the country.
# The tunnel provides safety from avalanches and landslides.
# It is also a strategic achievement as it provides a safe and fast alternative for the Indian army to
transport it’s logistics to the LAC.
Source - Study iq (Youtube channel)
10. As our forefathers understood the importance of infrastructure developments
and termed dams as temples of modern India. We continued there dream to
build a better India by investing in infrastructure development projects.
THANK
YOU.