In recent news, the Atal Tunnel officially received recognition from the World Book of Records as the ‘World’s Longest Highway Tunnel above 10,000 Feet’. The World Book of Records UK, an organization that documents and verifies extraordinary global records with authentic certification, has provided this prestigious title. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is credited with constructing this monumental structure.
Key Features of the Atal Tunnel
The Atal Tunnel, with a length of 9.02 km, holds the position for the world’s longest highway tunnel situated above a height of 3,000 meters. This engineering marvel pierces through a mountain located to the west of the Rohtang pass. The tunnel significantly reduces the distance between Sissu and Solang Valley by approximately 46 km, thus cutting down the travel time to about 15 minutes. Prior to the tunnel’s construction, the journey between these two points took nearly four hours. The Rohtang Pass is situated in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India, and it is part of the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas.
Significance of the Atal Tunnel
Facilitating Year-Round Connectivity
The opening of the Atal Tunnel marks the first step towards providing all-year connectivity to Ladakh, a region located in the northernmost part of India. The tunnel can potentially provide a direct route to Ladakh from Manali and Chandigarh throughout the year, as it successfully bypasses the Rohtang Pass that remains blocked due to heavy snowfall in the winter.
Strategic Importance
From a strategic viewpoint, the tunnel grants an advantage to the country’s armed forces by ensuring year-long access to border areas. This feature is instrumental in saving a whole day for military personnel and resources as they move towards forward posts.
Improvement of Basic Amenities
The Atal Tunnel significantly alleviates the challenges faced by the residents of Ladakh in accessing basic facilities such as healthcare and food supplies. This tunnel paves the way for these residents to travel to Manali and avail various services, thus connecting them with the rest of the country. Moreover, it ensures the consistent availability of essential commodities like petrol and vegetables throughout the year.
Boost to Agriculture
Farmers greatly benefit from the reduced travel time facilitated by the Atal Tunnel. Previously, crops like peas and potatoes often rotted in trucks before reaching the markets. However, the tunnel now ensures that these valuable goods reach the market fresh, thereby preventing losses and waste.
Boost to Tourism
Since its inception, the region has seen a significant increase in tourist numbers. In just over a year, the valley and the state have witnessed substantial growth in their socio-economic aspects, driven mainly by the boost in tourism. Overall, the construction of the Atal Tunnel has been a monumental success, contributing both to the local lifestyle and the national economy.
The information in this article is sourced from the Press Information Bureau (PIB).