Basic Facts About Atal Tunnel
Touted to be the longest mountain tunnel in the world, the Atal Tunnel is nearly 8.8 kilometres long. It is expected to cut the travelling distance between Manali and Leh by almost 46 kilometres or 5 hours journey. Built at an altitude of 3000 metres above the sea level, the Atal Tunnel will serve as an all-weather road to the remote border areas of Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh, which used to remain closed till now for six months during the winters.Reasons Behind & Budget
While the Prime Minister mentioned that the tunnel was close to Vajpayee’s vision of development, and will change the fortune of people staying in Leh, Ladakh and Kargil. Further, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the government fulfilled the long-pending demand to name the tunnel after the former prime minister. He also added that the construction of INR 4000 crore tunnel would be completed by 2020. The historic decision to construct the strategic tunnel below the Rohtang Pass was taken in 2000 when Vajpayee was the prime minister.So, with the world’s longest tunnel being constructed between Manali, Leh, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, what are your plans to visit these places? Share them with us in the comments below!
