BRO deploys 67% of workforce in Northern borders: Defence Min at Atal Tunnel webinar

Stating that government has given high priority to development of border areas, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday that BRO has deployed 67% of its workforce in rrn borders. Minister was speaking at inauguration of a day-long Webinar on Atal Tunnel. 

BRO organized webinar to share experiences gained on constructing this tunnel, for benefit of IITs, NITs, and or technical institutions.

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Lauding BRO’s efforts and achievements in past year despite COVID-19 restrictions, Singh said, re h been cut in its budget. He said that spirit of national pride is extremely important for building a great structure like Atal Tunnel. Recalling various past achievements of Indian scientists and engineers, Singh said y have always shown ir prowess in various streams.

Defence Minister also released a Compendium of documents listing experiences and challenges encountered during construction of largest tunnel in world above 3,000-metre elevation. Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mess on Atal Tunnel project, Rajnath Singh said, "such ambitious projects are t only built on bricks and stones and budget but pride inside us for nation keeps us motivated."

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'World's largest tunnel'

Atal Rohtang tunnel has been named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Vajpayee h first anunced project back on June 3, 2000, after which project faced several challenges owing to sensitive terrain of region. Built by Border Ros Organisation (BRO), 9.2-km Atal tunnel is world’s longest tunnel situated above an altitude of 3,000 meters. It is said to reduce travel time between Manali and Leh by nearly 46 km which amounts to 4.5 hours. Atal tunnel is also said to open up new opportunities for tourism in tribal district. 

It is a horseshoe-shaped, single tube double lane tunnel with a roway of 8 meters. It has an overhe clearance of 5.525 meters. It is 10.5-meter wide and has a 3.6 x 2.25 meters fireproof emergency egress tunnel built into main tunnel itself. Atal Tunnel has been designed for a traffic density of 3,000 cars per day and 1,500 trucks per day with a max speed of 80 km per hour. 

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