New Delhi: The Atal Tunnel at Rohtang Pass, apparently one of the world’s challenging projects, is set for inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 3. The 9.02 long highway tunnel will not only facilitate vehicular movement between Ladakh and rest of the state but will of immense importance for India’s strategic interests.
The historic decision to construct a strategic tunnel below the Rohtang Pass was taken in 2000 when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister. It was about to be completed in 6 years but overshot the deadline and saw completion in 10 years. In 2019, Union Cabinet under the chairman of PM Modi decided to change the name of Rohtang Tunnel to Atal Tunnel to honour latter’s contributions.
The tunnel will be a boon for Himachal’s tribal district Lahaul Spiti as it wil remain connected throughout the year. In days to come, the tunnel will become key to resupplying the military garrison.
Tunnel to bring T-90 tanks, combat vehicles closer to LAC
The Atal Tunnel will help the Indian Army bring its T-90 tanks and infantry combat vehicles closer to the Line of Actual Control (LAC), reports said quoting tunnel project engineers. It assumes significance as strained ties between India and China demands for efficient mobilization of troops, artillery along the border.
Brigadier (retd) Khushal Thakur, a Kargil hero told a daily that the Atal tunnel is significant not only for all-weather civilian movement, but also holds military and strategic importance, especially in view of the current combative scenario at the border.
Having been associated with implementation of Rohtang tunnel project from 2010-2013, Brigadier (retd) said, “This tunnel has placed us in a better position in a conflict scenario if ever that happens. But this is only the beginning of a rocky road which lies ahead. Additional tunnels will have to be built along the Manali -Leh route at Baralacha Pass, Lachung La (16800 feet), Tangla and Nakee La to ensure all weather connectivity till the forward lines of Defence.”
