The Atal Tunnel, a 9.2 km-long tunnel on the Manali-Leh Highway (NH-3), was inaugurated on 3 October 2020. Named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, this tunnel provides an all-weather route to Leh, significantly improving connectivity to Lahaul-Spiti and Ladakh.
Cuts down the distance between Manali and Leh by 46 km.
Travel time reduced by about 4 hours.
Elevation: Located at 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) above sea level.
Construction: Built by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
Single-tube, double-lane tunnel with an 8-meter carriageway.
Emergency exit tunnel inside the main tunnel (a first in India).
Equipped with CCTVs, fire hydrants, and air quality monitoring systems.
Automatic incident detection system to respond to accidents or breakdowns.
- Boosts Connectivity:
Provides year-round access to Lahaul-Spiti, Ladakh, and beyond.
Avoids the Rohtang Pass, which is blocked by snowfall for nearly six months a year.
- Strengthens Defense & Security:
Enables faster movement of troops and supplies to border areas.
Strategically crucial for India’s defense preparedness, especially along the Ladakh and China border.
- Economic Benefits:
Promotes tourism and trade in Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh.
Enhances employment and business opportunities for local communities.
