Leh: PM Modi launched the 9.02 km long Atal Tunnel in Rohtang through video conferencing at 10 am today. This will reduce the distance between Manali and Leh by 46 kms, i.e., this journey will take less than 4-5 hours. It is the longest highway tunnel in the world, which will connect Manali-Kohaul-Spiti Valley throughout the year. Earlier, the cold snowfall caused the valleys to become isolated.

The tunnel is designed with state-of-the-art technology and structures at an altitude of 3000 metres (10,000 ft) above the average sea level (MSL) in the Pir Panjal series of the Himalayas. The southern end (SP) of atal tunnel is located at an altitude of 3060 m at a distance of 25 km from Manali, while its northern end (NP) is located at an altitude of 3071 m near Telingsisugava in Lahaul Valley.

It is a single tube and double lane tunnel with an 8 metre road in the horseshoe shape. Its overhead clearance is 5.525 meters. It is 10.5 m wide and also has a 3.6*2.25 m fire proof emergency exit tunnel, built within the main tunnel. Atal Tunnel has been designed with a maximum speed of 80 kmph with the capacity to withstand traffic of 3000 cars and 1500 trucks per day.

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