Thread by @jvidyasagar

A tunnel towards new beginnings

The #AtalTunnel, inaugurated yesterday by Prime Minister @narendramodi in #Rohtang, Himachal Pradesh is a fruit of the dedication and hard work of the Borders Road Organization (BRO).

Conceived in the year 1983, it was given a shape by PM Modi to ensure that infrastructure and connectivity to border areas improve.

Cost -

The estimated cost of construction of the tunnel was about Rs. 900 crores. But due to continuous delays, it's completed after spending more than 3 times i.e. 3200 crore rupees.

Location:

1. The 9.02 km tunnel connects Manali and Lahaul-Spiti Valley.
2. The existing road is cut off for 6 months due to heavy snowfall. This tunnel provides connectivity throughout the year. 
3. Built in the Pir Pal range of Himalayas at an altitude of 3000 mts.

4. The tunnel will reduce the distance between Manali and Leh from 6 hours to 1 hour.
5. Manali to Leh road distance will reduce by 38 Kms.

Features:

1. Speed limit 80km/hour. First and Last 400 mts 40km/hour.
2. Overtaking prohibited.
3. Emergency Exit every 500 mts.
4. Air quality monitoring every 1 km.
5. Telephone connection every 150mts.
6. Cameras every 60 mts.
7. Broadcasting systems throughout the tunnel.

8. Evacuation sign every 25mts.
9. Fire Hydrant mechanism every 60 mts.

Timeline

1 1983 - Govt approves all-weather road
2. 2000 - Project discussion started by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee

3. 2002 - Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee announced the project and laid the foundation for the approach road
4. 2009 - Tender awarded for the project
5. 2010 - Sonia Gandhi laid the foundation for the tunnel
6. 2017 - Both the ends were met

7. 2019
    - Jan - 90 per cent work completed
    - Dec - Rohtang tunnel was officially renamed as the Atal Tunnel.
8. 2020
    - Sep - Completion of Project
    - Oct - Project opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi

@anbezhil12 @crazyhinduu @Mahesh10816 @tskrishnan @mayamadhava @ianuragthakur @LAKSHMIALAPATI3 @Maha_periyava_ @rangats @ranganaathan