Table of Contents
ROHTANG TUNNEL
- The world’s longest tunnel (8.8km) above 10,000 feet – Rohtang Tunnel is under construction to connect villages in Lahaul-Spiti (Himachal Pradesh) to the rest of the country even during winters.
- It is built under Pir Panjal range.
- It connects the Kullu Valley with Lahaul and Spiti Valleys of Himachal Pradesh.
DON’T CONFUSE THE PROJECTS
THE TUNNEL
- The tunnel is the world’s longest tunnel (8.8 km) at an altitude of 3,000 metres.
- The tunnel reduces the distance between Leh and Manali by 46 kilometres.
ROHTANG TUNNEL/ ATAL TUNNEL
- One of the most prestigious tunnel projects in the
- country, the work is monitored by the Prime Minister’s Office. PM Narendra Modi will inaugurate the project once complete.
- The tunnel is expected to be named after former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who took a keen interest in the project during his tenure, and was also a regular visitor to Manali.
SERVICES INSIDE ROHTANG TUNNEL
- Telephone at every 150 metres
- Fire hydrant at every 60 metres
- Emergency exit at every 500 metres
- Turning cavern at every 2.2. km
- Air Quality monitoring every 1 km
SERVICES INSIDE ROHTANG TUNNEL
- Automatic incident detection system with CCTV every 250 metres
- Width of carriageway: 10.50 metres including one metres footpath on both sides
- Maximum speed limit: 80 km per hour
- Max Traffic expected: 3,000 petrol cars a day and 1,500 trucks a day
TUNNEL SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
- Feasibility study: May 1990
- Geological report submitted: June 1994 Design and specification report submitted: Dec 1996
- Final technical approval: 2003
- Foundation stone laid: July 28, 2010
- Original date of completion: Feb 1, 2015
- Original date of completion: Feb 1, 2015
SIGNIFICANCE
- The project also has significant strategic implications for the military as it will allow access beyond Rohtang Pass even in peak winters.
- All-winter connectivity to Ladakh, however, is still some time away as more tunnels will have to be built to tackle the high passes which fall beyond Rohtang.
Latest Burning Issues | Free PDF
WhatsApp