The Atal Tunnel, a 9.02 km highway tunnel under the Rohtang Pass, was inaugurated on October 3, 2020, to ensure year-round connectivity to Ladakh. Initially proposed in the 1960s, the project faced significant delays and budget increases, ultimately costing ₹3200 crores INR. It is recognized for enhancing strategic connectivity and improving local economies, being the longest tunnel built at an altitude of over 10,000 ft.

1. →Name:- Amritanshu Raj
→Roll no.:- 102001005
→Course ID:- ID1030
→Assignment:- 2
→Topic:- Atal Tunnel

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

7. PM Modi inaugurating Atal Tunnel.
On 03.10.2020
Source- https://www.dnaindia.com

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)

9. Final touch before the inauguration.
Source- The Hindu Newspaper

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.