Rohtang Tunnel acknowledged as Atal Tunnel is a highway tunnel constructed at an altitude of above 3,000 meters under the Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh. The tunnel is at a height of 3,100 meters (10,171 ft) whereas the Rohtang Pass is at an elevation of 3,978 meters (13,051 ft).

The Atal Tunnel is 9.02 km long and named by the  government after former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. It is one of the longest road tunnels in the nation and, the longest highway tunnel above 3,000 meters in the world!

Manali to Rohtang pass via Atal tunnel

Slicing through a hill to the west of Rohtang La, the tunnel will shorten the distance between Solang Valley near Manali to Sissu in Lahaul by around 46 km. If driving up to the Pass used to take 2 hours, vehicles will now be able to cross the tunnel in 15 minutes.

It presents all-weather connectivity to the isolated valley of Lahaul-Spiti, which endures cut-off for almost six months during a year as the Rohtang Pass is habitually covered with thick snow between November and April.

The tunnel was constructed using the New Austrian tunneling method and has been outfitted with a semi-transverse ventilation system, where huge fans individually circulate air throughout the tunnel. A 2.25 m tall and 3.6 m wide emergency tunnel has been combined into the tunnel cross-section underneath the chief carriageway for evacuation during crises.

Fires inside the tunnel will be checked in a range of 200 meters and fire hydrants are administered at distinct places throughout the tunnel. The tunnel also possesses a public announcement system to make an important announcement in emergency circumstances for which speakers are installed at frequent intervals.

Since the Atal tunnel is expected to observe heavy traffic and three accidents have already been reported, CCTV cameras are installed at periodic interims in the tunnel which are attached to two monitoring rooms on both ends of the tunnel for vehicular supervision and pollution monitoring. Pollution sensors continuously observe the air quality in the tunnel and if the air quality in the tunnel is under the desired level, fresh air is inserted into the tunnel via two huge fans on each side of the tunnel.

The given limits of the Rohtang tunnel are –

Vehicles number
(i) Cars – 3000 Nos.
(ii Trucks – 1500 Nos.

Design vehicular speed in Tunnel

(i) Maximum Speed – 60 km/h
(ii) Minimum Speed – 40 km/h

The tunnel lessens the travel time and overall length between Manali and Keylong on the way to Leh.

The route, which previously went through Gramphu, was 116 km (72.1 mi) long and used to take 5 – 6 hours under the best situations.

But now, thanks to the tunnel,

The traveler arrives at the South Portal of the tunnel from Manali, a distance of 24.4 km (15.2 mi) in roughly 50 minutes, works through the 9.02 km (5.6 mi) long tunnel in about 15 minutes and reaches Keylong which is 45 km (28.0 mi) away in nearly 60 minutes. The new route via the tunnel bears down the total distance progressed to 78.42 km (48.7 mi) which can be easily covered in nearly 2 hours. Reducing the distance and time traveled of around 3 – 4 hours as contrasted to the earlier route. Besides, the tunnel skirts most the utmost of the sites that were inclined to road barricades, landslides, etc.

In 2019, The Union Cabinet decided to name the tunnel as ‘Atal Tunnel’ to honor former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for his contributions. When Atal Bihari Vajpayee became the Prime Minister, he went to Lahaul and on 3 June 2000 declared that the Rohtang Tunnel would be constructed. The foundation stone was laid by the then chairperson Sonia Gandhi on June 28, 2010.

It has been inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 3 October 2020.

The cost of the entire project is estimated to INR 3,200 crores than the previous INR 500 crores in 2003.

After the inauguration, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the tunnel would implement new vitality to the country’s border infrastructure.

Before this tunnel construction, the Lahaul Spiti Valley used to be closed off from regular tourists and vehicular transportation due to the bad weather conditions and the wearisome traveling. It is now anticipated to promote tourism and wintertime entertainment in the area. The tunnel is not only significant for citizens but also from the military logistics aspect as it will present more solid connectivity to the armed troops to reaching Ladakh.

Manali to Rohtang pass via Atal tunnel Trip

Rohtang pass Trip from Manali via Rohtang Tunnel (Best Time)

For Your Information from Manali it take roughly 50 minutes to reach south end of Rohtang Tunnel / Atal Tunnel , To cross the  long Rohtang Tunnel / Atal Tunnel it take  about 15 minutes and reaches north end or say exit of Rohtang Tunnel / Atal Tunnel

After crossing the Rohtang Tunnel / Atal Tunnel  you have to take a left turn towards kokshar ,

Kokshar is almost 10km from the exit of Rohtang Tunnel / Atal Tunnel .

You can either get a Rohtang Pass Permit for you car or you can hire a cab from Manali to Rohtang Pass to enjoy a hassle free journey

Now due to the Rohtang Tunnel you can easily cover Sissu and Rohtang Pass in a single Day Trip

If you want to enjoy your sissu and Rohtang trip more ,than have a stay at sholang valley which is nearby to Rohtang Tunnel and save enough time to enjoy sissu and Rohtang Pass

What i enjoy the most in Rohtang Pass the Cup of Masala Tea and watching the beautiful mountains covered with snow

Basically you have to submitted you Rohtang Pass Permit at Kokshar checkpost

After verification of your Rohtang Pass Permit you start your journey toward Rohtang Pass .You can have a break a Kokshar for tea or snacks.

You can also enjoy a small waterfall trek at kokshar , the trek is not like Tosh to Kheerganga but its worth to Visit

Rohtang Pass is almost 28km from Kokshar Check Post with a decent Road

Amazing Views of my Rohtang Pass Trip via Atal Tunnel

If you want to know that How is the road from Manali to Rohtang Pass? . Than in clicked a picture for you to help you see the exact condition of road from Manali to Rohtang Pass. The road from Manali to Rohtang Pass is decent to handle traffic

Rohtang Pass offers a very beautifual mountain view from the top the picture’s are clicked in the october month Just have a look at the Top View from Rohtang Pass

You can find a lot of tea/Maggie seller at top of the Rohtang Pass

An Another Rohtang Pass Top View

If you are planning a trip to Rohtang Pass im definitely sure you love to visit Kasol in December

Manali to Sissu via Atal tunnel

As we know  that The traveler arrives at the South Portal of the tunnel from Manali, a distance of 24.4 km (15.2 mi) in roughly 50 minutes, works through the 9.02 km (5.6 mi) long tunnel in about 15 minutes and reaches Sissu which is 10 km  away from Rohtang Tunnel / Atal Tunnel.

If you are planning a trip from delhi to Manali than the article how to reach Manali from delhi will help you

As on 10/10/2020 ,

 

You have no need to take any permit to visit Sissu/Kelong through Rohtang Tunnel / Atal Tunnel.

You can enjoy a very beautiful lake at Sishu Where you can enjoy boating,

Aslo Sissu offer you a very beautiful destination for camping or picnic Aslo Sissu is 35km before kelong.

 

 

You can enjoy boating at sisu lake during your kelong or leh trip by Rohtang Tunnel

Sissu also offer a decent camping site for travellers You can plan a night stay in your own camp at sisu during your leh trip or Rohtang trip

If you are planning a trip from delhi toKasol than the article how to reach kasol from delhi will help you

If you like the article The Ultimate Trip To Rohtang & Sisu by Rohtang Tunnel /Atal Tunnel

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