Cutting through a mountain to the west of Rohtang La, the tunnel will shorten the distance between Solang Valley near Manali to Sissu in Lahaul, the two points it connects, by around 46 km. Along will come associated requirements for traffic policing, garbage management and parking areas that inevitably result from an increase in traffic. [10] The approach road to the tunnel entrance was inaugurated by Atal Bihari Vajpayee. After a year of discussions, Vajpayee went to Lahaul in June 2000 and declared that the Rohtang Tunnel would be constructed. Once completed, the Rohtang Tunnel will be a life changer, providing these regions with safe, all-weather access to the rest of India and reducing travel distance by about 47km. In winter, the temperature difference between one side of the tunnel and the other could be over 30 degrees! Overburden: Maximum 1,900 metres (6,230 ft), average more than 600 m (1,970 ft), Construction technique: Drill & Blast with. The new route via the tunnel brings down the total distance travelled to 71 km (44.1 mi) which can be covered in about 2 hours and 5 minutes, a reduction of around 3 to 4 hours when compared to the earlier route. At the beginning of construction of this tunnel, it was designed as an 8.8 km long tunnel, but when … "Listen to your heart positively" A class tenth boy commit suicide due to inability to get online classes 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. [4], The tunnel reduces the travel time and overall distance between Manali and Keylong on the way to Leh. Atal Tunnel (also known as Rohtang Tunnel) is a highway tunnel built under the Rohtang Pass in the eastern Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas on the Leh-Manali Highway in Himachal Pradesh, India. As on 13 October 2017 both ends of the tunnel met. However to hope to reach Leh during winters, without tunnels under Baralacha La, Lachulang La and Tanglang La, is no more than a fantasy. At most, it will save trucks a 3-hour haul over Rohtang La. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 3 October 2020. ", "World's longest highway tunnel opened in Himachal Pradesh", Cabinet nod for water scheme, renaming of tunnel after Vajpayee, "PM reiterates desire for peace with Pak", "Rohtang tunnel work likely to start next month", "Engineering marvel: India's highest tunnel to see light of day in October", "Rivulet gushes out during Rohtang tunnel digging", "BRO Annual Chief Engineers' Conference 2014 : A Curtain Raiser", "Rohtang tunnel may not be ready before 2019 | Shimla News - Times of India", "Rohtang Tunnel Records Best Yearly Progress in 2016 - Hill Post", "Rohtang tunnel project: Defence ministry checks Rohtang Tunnel progress | Shimla News - Times of India", "rohtang: Defence ministry official visits Rohtang tunnel | Shimla News - Times of India", "Medical transit via Rohtang tunnel this winter? Connectivity to Ladakh will require more tunnels: either at Shikun La, or at the passes located on the present Leh-Manali road. Also stay well within the speed limits as the tunnel is built under an aquifer, which causes it to leak water onto the tunnel's tarmac. The tunnel also reduces the road distance between Manali and Leh by 46 km Altitude of Atal Tunnel Atal Tunnel is built at an altitude of 3000 meters i.e., 10,000 feet. It is likewise the nation's first passage to have an escape tunnel inside the fundamental passage or main tunnel. So in 15 minutes you may have a temperature difference of 30 degrees or more! Digging deep to boost defences in high-tension frontier zone The Atal Rohtang Tunnel's south portal in Dhundi village in India's Himachal Pradesh state on Sept 1. Coming out of the tunnel onto a road on the other side covered in snow and ice, will have significant hazards for two-wheel-drive cars as against 4X4's (four-wheel drives). The route, which previously went through Gramphu, was 116 km (72.1 mi) long and took 5 to 6 hours in good conditions. 2) Some BRO (Border Roads Organization) and army people have been quoted as saying that due to the Atal Tunnel, they may now be able to keep the road from Manali to Leh open even in winter. Do you think this is possible? and likely interruption in construction work due to presence of civilians. It must be remembered that with the tunnel reducing driving time, a very significant change in temperatures and oxygen levels will now happen in just 15 minutes! Tunnel ventilation: Semi-transverse system of ventilation. By December 2004, the cost estimate had grown to ₹900 crore. This strategic tunnel will change the fortunes of this region. Dec 2019: On 25 December the tunnel, which was known as Rohtang tunnel till then, was officially renamed as the Atal Tunnel. To be opened for emergency traffic by Oct-2019 end. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries after the inauguration of the Atal Tunnel. He is the organizer of the Raid De Himalaya and founder of Himalayan Motorsport Association, which conducts motor sporting events in the Himalayas. The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) is making a DPR for this tunnel which will give a new road link to Leh. The most challenging task was to continue the excavation during heavy snowfall in winter. Gopal and two companions, Chhering Dorje and Abhay Chand, moved to Delhi. I now propose to take up construction of tunnel under Sela Pass (in Arunachal Pradesh)," he said. Economics will rule. "Rohtang Tunnel, connecting Manali in Himachal Pradesh to Leh in Ladakh, will now be known as Atal Tunnel. However, there was no progress for the next three years, until May 2010.[12]. Constructed at an average 10,000ft above sea level, the horseshoe-shaped tunnel will be the world’s longest tunnel … Some of the anchoring and slope stabilisation work was subcontracted to Spar Geo Infra Pvt Ltd. Prime Minister Narendra Modi renamed the tunnel as the Atal Tunnel, in honour of Shree Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on 25 December 2019, Vajpayee's birthday.[8]. It will help in promoting tourism in the region," he said. To end the perpetual isolation of Lahoul & Pangi and uninterrupted supply of Ration, arms and ammunition and petroleum products to the northern sensitive borders at the shortest time has become a reality with the start of Technical kick beneath Rohtang Pass through a Tunnel. Before the tunnel, the driving time between Manali and Leh was around 11 to 12 hours. Excavation for tunnelling was done from both ends. One should come well prepared as the temperature differences, especially in the winter, may exceed 30 degrees Celsius. Nov 2019: Bus service trial started through the yet-incomplete tunnel on 17 November 2019. Where do the authorities come in? The economy will boom. [13] The drilling of the Rohtang Tunnel through the Himalayan ranges began on 28 June 2010 at the South Portal, 25 km (16 mi) north of Manali. Lahaul will benefit from year-round tourism and ease of clearing crops of peas, potatoes, and apples from its fields. For the people of Lahaul, the big gain will be a release from captivity of four winter months of isolation. While going through the tunnel, I was thinking that since everyone will now use this route, the drive over the actual Rohtang Pass would be less of a nightmare. The increase of tourists initially will be much more in the winter, but the extreme cold and lack of infrastructure to deal with it, will soon turn that inflow into a trickle. To prevent any damage to the roads and to ensure the safety of the roads and tunnel users alike, avalanche control structures have been constructed. This tunnel provides year round connectivity to Lahaul. (Image Source-ANI). We are looking forward to it breaking down and becoming an off-road driving challenge. The tunnel was built using the New Austrian tunnelling method and has been equipped with a semi-transverse ventilation system, where large fans separately circulate air throughout the tunnel. Vijay Parmar is the organizer of the Raid De Himalaya and an expert on driving in high altitude regions. The access to better medical aid, fresh food supplies, and even travel options will free the Lahaul residents from this sense of captivity. Salient features of the Atal Tunnel are as follows: The following parameters have been set in design: Project Cost : Approximately ₹3,200 crore[38]. Tourism will flourish even in the winters, bringing both livelihood and daily activity. As of June 2012, two years after the start of the project, 3.5 km of the tunnel digging had been completed. Atal Tunnel in Rohtang, which is the most noteworthy elevation burrow on … [9] On 26 May 2002, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), a tri-service organisation of the Defence Ministry specialising in road and bridge construction in difficult terrains, headed by Lt. Gen. Prakash Suri, PVSM, was put in charge of construction. 5) How will the tunnel affect the local people of Lahaul and even Ladakh? The two-lane tunnel, once opened to vehicular traffic will help travellers to avoid the Rohtang Pass, about 51 km from Manali, will cut down a distance of 46 km between Manali and Keylong . The. Oct 2020: The tunnel was inaugurated by the Prime Minister, Shape (cross-section) of Tunnel: Horseshoe, Finished width: 10.00 m (32.8 ft) at road level. 1) When did you drive through the Atal Tunnel and what were your feelings? Rohtang Tunnel Leaves Filth In Its Wake Locals rattled as lack of facilities, irresponsible tourists lead to littering, open defecation, and even eve teasing and theft Ashwani Sharma 16 October 2020 The valley was earlier cut off for about six months every year due to heavy snowfall. As of 3 September 2017, 276 metres of the tunnel digging work remained. [11] In May 2007, the government of Dr. Manmohan Singh awarded the contract to SMEC (Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation) International Private Limited, an Australian company, and the completion date was revised to 2014. Leh-Manali Highway tunnel built under the Rohtang Pass in the eastern Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas, "Atal Tunnel renamed as 'Atal Tunnel, Rohtang, "9-km-long Atal Tunnel an engineering marvel", "Atal Tunnel: How world's longest tunnel above 10,000 feet at Rohtang pass will make use of automation solutions", "Importance of Rohtang Tunnel for Lahaul & Pangi resident", "Explained: What is the strategic importance of Atal Tunnel at Rohtang? Moreover, the tunnel bypasses most of the sites that were prone to road blockades, avalanches, and traffic snarls. Vehicles breaking down cannot be parked safely to one side and this will quickly cause a traffic pile up. [5][6], The tunnel is at an elevation of 3,100 metres (10,171 ft) whereas the Rohtang Pass is at an elevation of 3,978 metres (13,051 ft). This is untrue. A 2.25 m high and 3.6 m wide emergency tunnel is integrated in the tunnel cross-section beneath the main carriageway. If you over speed on such a slippery surface, your car can easily go into a slide causing a major accident! So one must be aware that the situation calls for you to switch-off the car engine, move away to an exit, and await clearance of the blockage. "Atal tunnel will give new strength to India's border infrastructure. Heavy snowfall in the Rohtang Pass area is a major concern, especially on the approach roads to the main tunnel. As of December 2016, 7.6 km of the tunnel digging had been completed. [35] Questions were also raised on the impact of cutting down more than 700 trees on the ecology.[36]. Rohtang Tunnel The tunnel is being built at an elevation of 10171 ft under the Rohtang Pass. As on 22 November 2017, it was decided to allow patients to be carried through the under-construction tunnel only in the gravest of emergency when the helicopter service was not available and not to allow civilians to enter the tunnel before completion due to risks of falling rocks, lack of oxygen in the tunnel as ventilation system was yet to be installed, etc. Accidents will be common if snow chains on tyres are not used. In winter this water can freeze into slippery black ice as the tunnel will act as a venturi for icy winds blowing in through the North portal. Even then, the avalanche paths between Chotta Dhara and Batal will need to be cleared daily to allow access to Spiti. The project is set to cut short the distance between Keylong and Manali by 45 … Sep 2018: the tunnel was used for evacuation of people stranded in Lahaul after sudden spell of bad weather blocked Rohtang La due to snowfall. Rohtang pass is the highest mountain pass on the on the eastern Pir Panjal range in the middle of Himalayas and Tunnel become a reality for India and will be the biggest achievement for India. The benefits of the Atal Tunnel are already being felt. The tunnel will have no effect on the military preparedness of the army on either Chinese or Pakistani borders. Copyright © 2018 Overdrive - All rights reserved. Only about one-fourth of the entire tunnel was excavated from the north end and three-fourths was excavated from the south end. The 9.02 kilometres-long Atal Tunnel, named after former Prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, passes under the Rohtang Pass in the eastern Pir … India’s largest auto media for the bike & car community for over 22 years. Tourism will spill over into the Keylong side yielding huge infra growth for this area. 7) What can the authorities do to prevent commercialization and over-exploitation of this area? A 2.25 m tall and 3.6 m wide emergency tunnel has been integrated into the tunnel cross-section beneath the main carriageway for evacuation during emergencies. The tunnel is located at an altitude of 10,000 Feet from the Mean Sea Level (MSL). Services inside Rohtang Tunnel: *Telephone at every 150 metres *Fire hydrant at every 60 metres *Emergency exit at every 500 metres *Turning cavern at every 2.2. km *Air Quality monitoring every 1 km However, as Rohtang pass closes during the winter, the north portal was not accessible during winter and the excavation was being done only from the south portal in winters. The drive will become easier next year with the completion of the Rohtang Tunnel, a trans-Himalayan short cut that will reduce travel times and ensure year-round connectivity to Ladakh. Nothing. The traveller now reaches the South Portal of the tunnel from Manali, a distance of 24.4 km (15.2 mi) in about 50 minutes, goes through the 9.02 km (5.6 mi) long tunnel in about 15 minutes, and reaches Keylong which is 37 km (23.0 mi) away in about 60 minutes. This tunnel connects Leh and Manali regions. Vijay is based in Shimla and is easily one of the most qualified persons to comment on the advantages of the Atal Tunnel and the care one needs to exercise while driving through it. As of September 2014, 4.4 km of the tunnel, i.e., half of 8.8 km planned length had been dug. He also said the government is keen to promote tourism in Lahaul. (a) Upper tolerance limit for concentration – 150ppm, After frequent visits of Director General Border Roads, officials from Defence Ministry and Himachal Chief Minister, This page was last edited on 14 January 2021, at 11:55. Atal Tunnel (also known as Rohtang Tunnel)[1] is a highway tunnel built under the Rohtang Pass in the eastern Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas on the Leh-Manali Highway in Himachal Pradesh, India. Almost 39 years after, when Atal Bihari Vajpayee became the Prime Minister, locals suggested his childhood friend Arjun Gopal visit him to talk about Rohtang Tunnel. The tunnel is intended to create an all-weather route to Leh and Lahaul and Spiti valleys in Himachal Pradesh. Fires inside the tunnel will be controlled within an area of 200 metres and fire hydrants are provided at specific locations throughout the tunnel.The tunnel also has a public announcement system to make important announcement in emergency situations for which loudspeakers are installed at regular intervals. Prime Minister Narendra Modi flags off a bus from Manali after inaugurating the Atal Tunnel. This Atal Rohtang Tunnel will enable the safe movement of military vehicles to the Ladakh border through this and there will be no problem in providing logistics to the troops. 6) The inflow of tourists to Lahaul will obviously increase due to the tunnel. It is not the job of the authorities, whoever they may be, to try and change the march of progress. Bob Rupani in this conversation with Vijay Parmar, uncovers several lesser known aspects about the Atal Tunnel, Rohtang. To be opened for general traffic by Sep-2020. The Raid de Himalaya was buried with honours after its 20th running! Atal Tunnel Rohtang - Can It Help Indian Army Safeguard Ladakh? As the tunnel was planned 40 years ago, it lacks lay-bys. (Image Source-NW 18). (Image Source- First Post). 3) What do you see as the benefits of the Atal Tunnel? Will it be possible for example to drive over Kunzum La and get into Spiti too from Lahaul? And this lack of acclimatization time, will lead to AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness)! 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