Newly built Atal Tunnel- a feather In India’s military cap...

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 The little over 9 km long Highway tunnel,the world’s longest, joining Manali to Leh , recently inaugurated by the Hon. Prime Minister is going to tilt the military balance of the region in favour of India. The tunnel built through terraneous path will connect people of Lahaul valley in Lahaul district to the rest of the state all round the year.


It is well known that the 9 km long tunnel reduces the distance between Manali and Leh by 46 kms and the corresponding travel time by a crucial 5-6 hours. The tunnel is at an elevation of around 10000 ft above sea level and is built using  state of the art technology by Border Road Organisation (BRO). The horse-shoe shaped tunnel is double way and can provide access to over 1500 trucks besides 3000 cars everyday of the year. It has all the safety features including multiple emergency exit routes with close circuit cameras installed at every 250 meters. Over 3500 highly skilled contractual workers and more than 650 employees of BRO toiled day and night to complete the 3800 crore project which actually started in 2002.


It is said that late Prime Minister Atal Behari Bajpayee, in whose name the tunnel is named, first came to know about its significance from a friend named Arjun Gopal in Himachal Pradesh. The tunnel lies along one of the two routes into Ladakh, the other being the Zozila Pass connecting Kashmir valley to Drass. Post Kargil war the need to construct an all-weather tunnel in Manali-Leh axis was felt in order  to have a smooth connectivity between Manali and Leh especially during winter when the entire region remains covered under snow. The project although started during the previous government went at a snail’s pace before the incumbent government took initiative to give it a filip keeping in mind the military requirement associated with it.


During the present Indo-China crisis the tunnel is expected to play a major role in providing essential and military supplies to Leh region should there be an escalation of conflict, besides being a tourist attraction, which will put india into a much superior position  against China especially during November-April period when the region is covered under snow. 


India’s military strength has been showcased on many occasions in past each time the country’s sovereignty was even remotely threatened.The enemies know it better. A strong, alert, powerful and technologically superior India will always hold its fort. In such proud endeavour the newly built Atal tunnel has added feathers in India’s  cap.

    

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Comments

  1. UnknownOctober 6, 2020 at 5:44 AM

    The long tunnel is a feather in cap of BRO.The work of the tunnel was stepped up in 2014 otherwise it would have taken another 10 years to complete.No doubt with Mr Modi as a PM definitely handled the Defence and external affairs Ministry's exceedingly well.India has definitely strengthened its connectivity through border areas in the recent past and the BRO is to be credited for this herculean task.

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    Replies
    1. Prabir Das BloggerOctober 6, 2020 at 7:42 AM

      Undoubtedly. The monumental challenges encountered by BRO have few parallel. The continuous flow of water, the different and fragile nature of rocks, the difficult terrains et al made the job exceedingly difficult. But BRO did come out victor.

      Delete
  2. UnknownOctober 6, 2020 at 7:30 AM

    It indeed is result of great initiative taken by the government. It is so reassuring that our soldiers will receive supplies quickly and although the year without depending upon the zoxila pass route.

    ReplyDelete
  3. ManoharOctober 6, 2020 at 12:36 PM

    It's a great pride for the Nation that the world's longest highway tunnel above 10000 feet in the peer-panjal range of the Himalayas has been commissioned. And it has rightly been named as ATAL TUNNEL in the fond memory of our ex PM late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji, who paved the way for it way back in 2002. As rightly said, it would be beneficial for the armed forces for round the year connectivity of the north eastern region of Leh- Ladakh from the main land and to protect our borders with the fastest mobility now available. In addition, it would also boost the tourism sector in the Spiti and Lahaul valley region, thus resulting in the growth of economy of the region. Such infrastructural developments are very much needed in the progress of the nation and also in protecting our borders.

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