Himachal CM Thakur reviews progress on Atal Tunnel in Rohtang

Himachal Presh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Saturday reviewed progress on 9-km Atal Tunnel, being constructed at Rs 3,500 crore in Lahaul Spiti's Rohtang to shorten distance between Manali and Leh.

CM said once completed Tunnel will provide all-wear connectivity to Leh and forward areas of Lakh, which remain cut-off for nearly six months from rest of country due to heavy swfall, according to an official spokesperson. This is extremely significant from defence point of view, he ded.

Chief Minister said project will be completed by spending Rs 3,500 crore. Cutting through Pir Panjal range, tunnel has reduced distance between Manali and Leh by 46 km, he said.

Later, presiding over a meeting with senior officers of Border Ro Organisation (BRO), Thakur directed to expeditiously give final touches to tunnel so that it could be me rey for inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi by September-end. Thakur said prime minister was showing keen on early completion of project, which will be t only important from strategic point of view but also gives a boost to tourism in Lahaul-Spiti, creating employment opportunities.

Thakur said sw galleries have been built on approach ro to tunnel from Manali side and this will ensure all-wear connectivity.

He said bridges on approach ro from rth portal (Lahaul Spiti side) and south portals have also been completed.

Thakur said for full all-wear connectivity up to Leh-Lakh, ditional tunnels will have to be built on Manali-Leh route so that high passes do t impede movement due to heavy swfall.

He said a 13.2-km-long tunnel will have to be built to negotiate 16,040 feet high Baralacha pass and ar 14.78-km-long tunnel will be required at Lachung La pass at 16,800 feet besides 7.32-km one at Tanglang La pass at 17,480 feet.

Thakur said tunnel has several user-friendly features, including an emergency escape. This will provide an emergency exit in case of an untoward incident, he ded.

Chief Engineer (BRO) Brig K P Purshothaman assured chief minister that project will be completed in a stipulated time period.

He said tunnel provides a telephone facility on every 150 metres, fire hydrant on every 60 metres, emergency exit on every 500 metres, turning cavern on every 2.2 km, air quality monitoring on every one km, brocasting system and automatic incident detection system with CCTV cameras on every 250 metres.