The Atal Tunnel, built under Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh, is the world's longest highway tunnel above 10,000 feet (3,000 meters). At 9.02 km long, it connects Manali to the Lahaul-Spiti Valley with year-round access.
A Decade-Long Dream
The idea for a tunnel under Rohtang was first proposed in 1998. Construction began in 2010 and was completed in 2020. The tunnel was built by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and inaugurated on October 3, 2020.
Engineering Excellence
The tunnel is a horseshoe-shaped, single-tube double-lane tunnel with a roadway of 8 meters. It has a semi-transverse ventilation system, emergency egress tunnel, fire detection and suppression systems, and SCADA-controlled monitoring.
Impact on Lives
Before the tunnel, Lahaul-Spiti was cut off for about 6 months every year due to heavy snowfall. The tunnel reduces the distance between Manali and Leh by 46 km and saves 4-5 hours of travel time.