'MEA should invite global universities to conduct studies on Atal Tunnel': PM Modi

During his dress at inauguration ceremony of Atal Tunnel on October 3, PM Modi said that MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) should invite global universities to study world's longest high-altitude tunnel. Speaking about marvellous engineering of tunnel at Rohtang Pass, he said that world should kw what India can pull off despite limited resources and . Atal tunnel is named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

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PM Narendra Modi inaugurates Atal Tunnel

Atal Tunnel took nearly 20 years to be functional since time of conception in 2000 under Atal Bihari Vajpayee government with its foundation stone laying in 2002. It was previously referred to as Rohtang Tunnel, however, PM Modi led government in December 2019 decided to name it Atal Tunnel in memory of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Minister of State for Finance Anurag Thakur, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Army Chief General MM Naravane and Chief Ministers were also present at inauguration ceremony. 

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Atal Tunnel is very crucial for India from many perspectives. Being 9.02 km long, it will reduce travel time between Manali and Leh by nearly 46 Kms, in turn reducing 4 to 5 hours of travel time. tunnel will have all-wear connectivity between Manali and Lahaul- Spiti valley which was earlier cut off for six months of year due to heavy swfall. "Atal Tunnel will give power to India's border infrastructure", said PM Modi. 

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To ensure safety, Atal Tunnel has entry barriers at both portals (rth and south), telephone connections at every 150 metres, fire hydrant systems at every 60 metres, evacuation lighting, air quality monitoring every 1 km and exit signs at every 25 metres, emergency exit at every 500 metres and brocasting system and automatic incident detection system with CCTV cameras every 250 metres.  Atal Tunnel will also hold significance from a strategic point of view as it will bring areas along with LAC closer and accessible through our year. Atal Tunnel is built at a cost of about Rs 3,300 crore. BRO (Border Ros Organisation) informed that it h to overcome a number of challenges including wear, terrain and geological constraints to build tunnel.

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Watch full speech here

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