Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the strategically important all-weather Atal Tunnel, which reduces the distance between Manali and Leh by 46 km and the travel time by four to five hours, at Rohtang in Himachal Pradesh.

Built at an estimated cost of Rs 3,500 crore, the Atal Tunnel is the world’s longest highway tunnel, above the altitude of 10,000 feet (3000 metres). The tunnel is named after former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who had announced the project in June 2000. 

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PM Modi at the inauguration said, “Connectivity has a direct connection with development. Connectivity in border areas is directly related to security issues.” 

“Atal tunnel will give new strength to India’s border infrastructure. It is an example of world-class border connectivity.”

In Pics: Magnificent Atal Tunnel, the longest highway tunnel in the world

The idea to construct a tunnel beneath the Rohtang Pass at 13,000 feet was first envisaged in 1983 and its construction received an impetus after the Kargil conflict.

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The foundation of the tunnel was laid by Vajpayee in 2002. The Modi government in 2019 had renamed the Rohtang Tunnel to Atal Tunnel, to honour the former prime minister. 

The work of the tunnel was entrusted to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) after receiving the final technical approval in 2003.